Abstract:
The present invention relates to improved fluid valves actuable by a non-axial movement of an actuation stem. The non-linear actuable valves embodied in the present invention maintain pressure containment through a novel approach over the prior-art. The exemplary embodiments teach improved non-linear actuable valves that reduce the chances for seal extrusion, particularly at elevated retaining pressure, while keeping the component count low, and are capable of functioning under both high and low pressure.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Not applicable. 
   FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
   Not applicable. 
   REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
   Not applicable. 
   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to improved fluid valves actuable by a non-axial movement of an actuation stem. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Several species of prior-art valves are going to be discussed in the background, followed by a summary of why the present invention is novel and improved over the prior-art. 
   Standard Style Non-Axial Actuable Valve: Summary 
     FIG. 1A  PRIOR-ART illustrates a non-axial actuable valve commonly used in low pressure pneumatic and hydraulic applications; for example used as a dog watering system that attaches to a hose bib on the outside of a home. A dog can drink a clean supply of water from the valve at will while not wasting excess water when not drinking from the valve. The dog watering valve typically utilizes a valve body comprising a bore that has a reduced diameter through-hole at its end. An elastomeric seal, such as having a round or square cross-section seats at the bottom of this bore. A rigid valve element sits on the elastomeric seal thus forming a circumferential sealing surface distally within the valve body bore. A compression spring sits above the rigid valve element and the spring is held in compression by a cap. The rigid valve element also has an actuation stem that protrudes through the reduced diameter through-hole at the end of the valve body that situates circumferentially within the elastomeric sealing surface. This valve is normally closed and fluid typically enters near or through the compression spring cap and is prevented from flowing through the valve by compression of the elastomer seal. The non-axial actuable valve is opened by pivoting the actuation stem generally perpendicular to the valve main axis. A greater pivoting angle from the valve main axis typically provides a higher flow rate through the valve. A dog would typically use its nose or tongue to pivot and actuate this type of valve. Upon removal of the pivoting force from the actuation stem such as when the dog stops drinking from the valve, the compression spring within the valve body will bias the non-axial actuable valve to a closed position. Most dogs quickly learn that by pivoting the actuation stem, water will flow for a refreshing drink. When done drinking, the water flow will cease. 
   Standard Non-Axial Actuable Valve: Limitations 
   The elastomeric seal is circumferentially supporting the compression spring preload between the bottom of the valve body and the rigid valve element. Excessive inlet pressure will compress the elastomeric seal proportional to the inlet pressure and the area of the rigid valve element. Illustrated in  FIG. 1B  PRIOR-ART, elevated inlet pressure makes valve actuation more difficult and will cause the elastomer seal to extrude as it excessively deforms under compression loading. Also, illustrated in  FIG. 1C  PRIOR-ART, opening the standard non-axial actuable valve while retaining elevated pressure increases the chances that the elastomer seal will extrude right out of the valve body, in whole or in part, thus possibly not allowing the valve to actuate on, actuate off once actuated on, and/or cause elastomeric seal damage. Therefore, the standard non-axial actuable valve works well in low pressure applications that only moderately deform the elastomeric seal and works poorly in elevated pressure applications that excessively deform the elastomeric seal. 
   Hard Seat Non-Axial Actuable Valve: Summary 
   Similar in construction of the standard non-axial actuable valve is a non-axial actuable valve that utilizes a harder material as the sealing seat.  FIG. 2A  PRIOR-ART illustrates a biased closed hard seal non-axial actuable valve. This harder material possesses structural integrity and is not likely to extrude, even under high pressure. Possible seat materials include delrin, Teflon, soft metals, or high durometer urethanes among other possible materials. A higher compressive spring force is required to attempt to fluidly seal a valve that utilizes a hard material seat which also equates into requiring a higher actuation force to overcome the closed position. 
   Hard Seat Non-Axial Actuable Valve: Limitations 
   Due to the excessive compressive forces on the hard seat, pivoting actuation force will likely be higher than the valve using an elastomer at its seat. Small amounts of contamination can quickly interfere with a hard seat thus not allowing the valve to completely close, causing a leak failure. A hard seat non-axial actuable valve will minimally compress its seat material upon actuation, even under elevated pressure. Very low pressures are typically not sealed by a hard valve seat.  FIG. 2B  PRIOR-ART illustrates an actuated open hard seat non-axial actuable valve exhibiting minimal seal material deformation. 
   Bonded Elastomer Seal Non-Axial Actuable Valve: Summary 
   Attempts to utilize an elastomer seal that is bonded or captured in place have been practiced and a non-actuated bonded elastomer seal non-axial actuable valve is illustrated in  FIG. 3A  PRIOR-ART. Adhesives can maintain an elastomer in place either to the valve body or to the rigid valve element. Likewise, an elastomer seal having a more complex shape can be captured to a valve body or captured within a multi-piece rigid valve element. Rapid actuation of a non-axial actuable valve having a bonded elastomer in place will not likely extrude the seal out of position within the valve. 
   Bonded Elastomer Seal Non-Axial Actuable Valve: Limitations 
   Either an additional elastomer bonding process must be practiced, thus increasing manufacturing costs, or a special shaped elastomer and/or valve seat(s) need to be made that are capable of capturing part of this seal in place thus maintain the seal into position. Any of these bonding or securing methods do create an overall more complex non-axial actuable valve assembly also increasing cost. Containment pressure capabilities for a bonded elastomer seal non-axial actuable valve are similar to those of the standard non-axial actuable valve, yet chances for elastomeric seal extrusion are considerably minimized.  FIG. 3B  PRIOR-ART illustrates a bonded elastomer seal non-axial actuable valve in an actuated open position. In addition to higher cost and potential failure of the seal bond or containment method, exposure to chemicals, heat, or other potential failure modes such as high pressure can cause failure of the seal retaining means. 
   The non-axial actuable valve taught in the embodiments of the present invention will improve upon the aforementioned limitations of the prior-art. Each embodiment is designed to be actuated by a pivoting action on its actuation stem. This pivoting action will fulcrum about one or more valve components and the actuation force can deviate from true perpendicular to the valve main axis so long as the pivot force (perpendicular) component can overcome the closed forces. Also, each embodiment self-resets to a closed position when not acted upon by external actuation forces. 
   This invention solves a long felt need for a valve that is simple by design, inexpensive to manufacture, and capable of handling both high and low operating pressures equally well. Other non-axial actuable valves are a rare find in hardware catalogs. One lucky enough to find a commercially available non-axial actuable valve will quickly find that manufacturers consistently limit the maximum operating pressure to the low hundred psi pressure range, such as 200 psig maximum, or considerably less. 
   In fact, Inventor searched near and far for such a non-axial actuable valve that could maintain low input pressure as well as reliably operate under high inlet pressure. After much research, it became apparent that no manufacturers made such a valve that could handle inlet pressures operable to thousands of psig before failing and capable of opening through non-linear actuation while also sealing at 0 psig or substantially 0 psig. 
   The non-linear actuable valves embodied in the present invention maintain pressure containment through a novel approach over the prior-art. The exemplary embodiments teach improved non-linear actuable valves that reduce the chances for seal extrusion, particularly at elevated retaining pressure, while keeping the component count low, and are capable of functioning under both high and low pressure. 
   The following embodiments will describe the present invention as well as exemplify the preferred embodiment. Additionally, with the aid of figures and an understanding of the prior-art, one having ordinary skill in the art will be able to understand and appreciate the gained utility from the embodiments to follow. 
   OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
   Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present invention will be presented in the following paragraphs followed by a thorough disclosure of each aspect in the accompanying embodiments in the DETAILED DESCRIPTION. 
   In light of the above-mentioned limitations, it is therefore an object of the present invention to teach non-axial actuable valve designs that will allow the valve embodiments to operate at both low and high operating pressures. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a non-axial actuable fluid pressure valve that self-resets to the closed position, when subjected to elevated operating pressure or no inlet pressure. 
   Another object of the present invention is to teach non-axial actuable valve designs capable of actuation without seal extrusion, regardless of the actuation rate or reasonable operation temperature. 
   Another object of the present invention is to minimize the parts count thus allowing for simplified, easy to manufacture assembly, reducing labor cost, which yields an affordable yet reliable valve. 
   While maintaining the causative principle of the invention, it is another object of the present invention to have similar components manufactured from machined, molded, or other manufacturing method to suit the intended valve specification. 
   Another object of the present invention is to allow non-axial valve opening actuation from a wide range of directions. 
   Additionally, an object of the present invention is to teach a non-axial actuable valve design capable of operation in miniature. 
   As well, an object of the present invention is to teach a non-axial actuable valve design that is capable of operation in large scale. 
   Further objects and advantages will become apparent in the following paragraphs. Solely and in combination, the above objects and advantages will be illustrated in the exemplary figures and accompanying embodiments to follow. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The figures are exemplary of different embodiments of the present invention. Each illustration conveys the invention and is not to be considered as limiting, rather, exemplary to the scope and causative principle of the present invention. Like components in the figures share identical numbering. 
       FIG. 1A  PRIOR-ART illustrates a side section view of an exemplary standard non-axial actuable valve in a closed position retaining little or no pressure; 
       FIG. 1B  PRIOR-ART illustrates a side section view of an exemplary standard non-axial actuable valve from  FIG. 1A  PRIOR-ART in a closed position retaining elevated pressure; 
       FIG. 1C  PRIOR-ART illustrates a side section view of an exemplary standard non-axial actuable valve from  FIG. 1A  PRIOR-ART in an actuated open position while retaining elevated pressure; 
       FIG. 2A  PRIOR-ART illustrates a side sectional view of a hard seat non-axial actuable valve retaining high inlet pressure; 
       FIG. 2B  PRIOR-ART illustrates a side sectional view of the hard seat non-axial actuable valve from  FIG. 2A  PRIOR-ART in an actuated open position; 
       FIG. 3A  PRIOR-ART illustrates a side sectional view of a non-axial actuable valve in a closed position that has an elastomeric seal support integrated into the valve body seat; 
       FIG. 3B  PRIOR-ART illustrates a side sectional view of the non-axial actuable valve from  FIG. 3A  PRIOR-ART in an actuated open position; 
       FIG. 4A  illustrates a side section view of an exemplary non-axial actuable valve retaining little or no pressure, incorporating an elastomeric seal support ring about the base of the actuation stem, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4B  illustrates a side section view of the non-axial actuable valve from  FIG. 4A  retaining high pressure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4C  illustrates a side section view of the non-axial actuable valve from  FIG. 4A  in an actuated open position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5A  illustrates a side sectional view of an exemplary non-axial actuable valve having a rigid stop and in a closed position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5B  illustrates a side sectional view of the non-axial actuable valve from  FIG. 5A  in an actuated open position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6A  illustrates a side sectional view of an exemplary non-axial actuable valve in a closed position having integrated vents into its actuation stem, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6B  illustrates an isometric section view of the embodied non-axial actuable valve from  FIG. 6A ; 
       FIG. 6C  illustrates an isometric view of the flow stopper from the embodiment of  FIG. 6A  detailing integrated vents in the actuation stem, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6D  illustrates a side sectional view of the non-axial actuable valve from  FIG. 6A  in an actuated open position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6E  illustrates an isometric sectional view of the non-axial actuable valve from  FIG. 6D  detailing integrated vents about the base of the actuation stem. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The following paragraphs will detail several modes including the best mode of the present invention. The exemplary figures and description of the invention as it is exemplified in each figure is representative of the current invention and the scope of the invention disclosure is not intended to be limited by the exemplary teachings. One skilled in the pertinent art realizes that the embodiments to follow may reasonably be combined and/or modified without deviating from the intended spirit of the present invention. Like physical structure in different figures share the same identifying numbers. 
   In accordance with an embodiment of the invention,  FIG. 4A  illustrates an exemplary non-axial actuable valve  400  subjected to little or no pressure, in accordance with the claimed invention. A valve body  405  is illustrated having a first end  410 , a high pressure zone  415 , and a second end  420 . Valve body first end  410  is intentionally shown truncated. One skilled in the pertinent art can readily understand that valve body first end  410  can fluidly attach via mechanical connection such as a threaded connection to an upstream pressure source or could equally be integrated into a pressure vessel. 
   High pressure zone  415  is embodied as a bore having a flat bottom that becomes a sealing valve seat  430 . A reduced diameter through hole  435  is bored through valve seat  430  and continues a fluid connection between high pressure zone  415  and second end  420 . 
   Similar to the possible attachments stated for first end  410 , second end  420  can easily be plumbed to a downstream device, vented to the atmosphere, etc. Second end  420  is illustrated without any specific connection means for sake of simplicity. 
   The internal components embodied in non-axial actuable valve  400  include a compression spring  440 , a seal  445 , a rocker seat  450 , and a floating seal support  455 . 
   Compression spring  440  distally centers along the distal tapered edge of rocker seat  450  and is retained about its other end by a mechanical means such as a spring retaining cap, potentially adjustable, and not illustrated for simplicity. Embodied non-axial actuable valve  400  is normally biased to a closed position. Floating seal support  455  situates about an actuation stem  451  that integrates into rocker seat  450 . There is diametrical clearance between through hole  435  and floating seal support  455  and a circumferential lip for floating seal support  456  that abuts to sealing valve seat  430 , thus preventing floating seal support  455  from passing through reduced diameter through hole  435 . Additionally, there is diametrical clearance between actuation stem  451  and floating seal support  455  to allow for flow without extrusion. Floating seal support  455  embodies a seal backup face  457 . The benefits of seal backup face  457  will be realized in  FIGS. 4B and 4C . Seal  445  is preferably, and illustrated as an o-ring. Other shapes of seals are also capable of a variety of shapes and one skilled in the pertinent art realizes that material selection and durometer or hardness specification can vary widely, dependent upon intended use of the non-axial actuable valve  400 . 
   The standard non-axial actuable valve of  FIGS. 1A-1C  PRIOR-ART, initially described in the BACKGROUND section, are much more likely to allow an elastomeric seal to extrude into its through hole (comparable to through hole  435  from  FIGS. 4A-4C ). This is mainly because a standard non-axial actuable valve provides no elastomer support means at this critical location which becomes particularly important as temperatures increase, seal durometer decreases, and/or retaining pressure increases. 
   Illustrated in  FIG. 1B  PRIOR-ART is a typical standard non-axial actuable valve subjected to an elevated retaining pressure. An elastomeric seal  145  lacks adequate support around a through hole  135  and has a tendency to extrude into through hole  135 , particularly as pressure and/or temperatures increase. 
   Problems cascade upon an actuation  152  of the PRIOR-ART standard non-axial actuable valve as illustrated in  FIG. 1C . Elastomeric seal  145  becomes trapped between through hole  135  and actuation stem  151  at a pinch point  153 . Pinch point  153  usually will harm an elastomeric seal such that eventual failure is inevitable, possibly after just one actuation cycle. Additionally, actuation  152  does allow for a large gap  154  necessary for flow, opposite pinch point  153  of through hole  135  creating a wide portion for seal extrusion. Variables such as operating temperature, viscosity and/or lubricity of fluid within the valve, elastomer seal material and durometer, operating pressure, rate of actuation, etc. can lead to complete or substantial seal extrusion through large gap  154 . If seal extrusion were to occur, the PRIOR-ART standard non-axial actuable valve from  FIGS. 1A-1C  would not close correctly and would certainly leak. 
     FIG. 4B  illustrates a side section view of non-axial actuable style valve  400  from  FIG. 4A  retaining high pressure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Rocker seat  450  is axially shifted toward sealing valve seat  430  due to compression of elastomeric seal  445 . Floating seal support  455  provides support for compressed elastomeric seal  445  through circumferential lip for floating seal support  456  and prevents seal extrusion into through hole  435 . 
     FIG. 4C  illustrates a side section view of non-axial actuable valve  400  from  FIG. 4A  in an actuated open position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. An actuation force  452  upon actuation stem  451  has a tendency to shift seal support  455  to the edge of through hole  435  in the same direction as actuation force  452 , yet still provide support for elastomeric seal  445  about seal backup face  457 , minimizing and/or eliminating seal extrusion into through hole  435 . A flow path FP is illustrated as a curvy arrow to represent a two-dimensional flow path for an actuated open valve. If actuation force  452  is great enough in magnitude upon actuation stem  451 , seal support  455  can bind about actuation stem at a binding point A and a binding point B. This binding can allow seal support  455  to partially lift away from sealing valve seat  430  thus also partially lifting elastomeric seal  445  to increase the flow capacity of non-axial actuable valve  400 . Subtleties to design geometry will affect the degree of potential binding as a function of actuation angle at A and B on seal support  455 , if any. At any angle in the tilt range of actuation stem  451  wherein valve  400  is actuated open, the causative principle of the invention incorporates a non-sealable condition on a portion between valve seat  430 , seal support  455 , and rocker seat  450  thus allowing fluid to exit valve second end  420  while not creating a substantial gap allowing for seal extrusion. 
     FIG. 5A  illustrates a side sectional view of an exemplary non-axial actuable valve  500  having a rigid stop and in a closed position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A valve body  505  is illustrated having a first end  510  shown simplified for clarity that is fluidly connected to a pressure source. One skilled in the pertinent art can readily understand that valve body first end  510  can fluidly attach via a threaded or other mechanical connection to an upstream pressure source or could equally be integrated into a pressure vessel. A high pressure zone  515  is embodied generally as a bore in valve body  505  and is contained by a seal  545  that is held into place by a first end lip  546 , a second end lip  547 , and a seal root portion  548 , defined as features integrated into rocker element  550 , and a valve seat  554 . Rocker element  550  has an annular ring  556  that abuts to a recessed annular groove  555  in valve body  505  and has an actuation stem  551  protruding out the end of valve body  505  to define a second end  520 . Annular groove  555  centers rocker element  550  within valve body  505 . A compression spring  540  biases valve  500  to a normally closed position. 
   By design, seal  545  is only partially compressed in closed valve  500 . A higher durometer elastomeric seal may require spring  540  to provide a higher compressive force and/or component geometry can be adjusted without deviating from the scope of the embodiment. One having ordinary skill in the art could easily experiment to find an optimum range to meet their needed design criteria. 
     FIG. 5B  illustrates a side cross-section view of rigid stop non-axially actuable valve  500  in a pivoted open position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A rocking force  552  acting on actuation stem  551  pivots rocker element  550  about a portion of annular groove  555  and annular ring  556 . A flow path FP is created and fluid is allowed to pass through valve  500 . In the event that seal  545  is made from a high durometer material and potentially also incorporating design geometry, annular ring  556  may lift off of annular groove  555  at higher pivot angles of actuation stem  551 . At any angle in the tilt range of actuation stem  551  wherein valve  500  is actuated open, the causative principle of the invention incorporates a non-sealable condition on a portion between valve seat  554  and seal  545 , thus allowing fluid to exit valve second end  520  while not creating a substantial gap allowing for seal extrusion. 
   In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 6A  illustrates a side cross-section view of an exemplary non-axially actuable valve  600  exemplified in a closed position. A valve body  605  is illustrated having a first end  610  shown simplified for clarity that is fluidly connected to a pressure source. One skilled in the pertinent art can readily understand that valve body first end  610  can fluidly attach via a threaded or other mechanical connection to an upstream pressure source or could equally be integrated into a pressure vessel. A high pressure zone  615  is embodied generally as a bore in valve body  605  and is contained by a seal  645  that is held into place by a rocker element  650  that is biased toward a valve seat  630  by a compression spring  640 . Valve seat  630  additionally features a circumferential seal lip  637  and the benefits of circumferential seal lip  637  will be clarified in  FIGS. 6D and 6E . An actuation stem  651  is embodied as an integrated protrusion from rocker element  650  and protrudes out of a valve body second end  620 . Rocker element  650  also comprises a plurality of supportive vent ribs  636  circumferentially oriented about actuation stem  651  and situated substantially within a valve body through hole  635 . Supportive vent ribs  636  taper to the diameter of actuation stem  651  as they protrude toward valve body second end  620 . Supportive vent ribs  636  taper to the diameter of a rocker element alignment portion  638  that is capable of slidably fitting into valve body through hole  635  with no interference. These smooth vent transitions to actuation stem  651  and rocker element alignment portion  638  prevent binding of rocker element  650  as will become evident in  FIGS. 6D and 6E  that exemplify non-axially actuable valve  600  in a pivoted open position. 
     FIG. 6B  illustrates an isometric cross-section view of non-axially actuable valve  600  in a closed position, particularly intended to exemplify supportive vent ribs  636 . And exemplified in  FIG. 6C  is embodied rocker element  650 , actuation stem  651 , and supportive vent ribs  636  shown without any other valve components to increase clarity. 
     FIGS. 6D and 6E  illustrate a side cross-sectional view of non-axially actuable valve  600  shown in a pivoted open position, and an isometric cross-section view also in a pivoted open position, respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. An actuation force  652  is illustrated as acting on actuation stem  651 . The likelihood that seal  645  will extrude out of valve body through hole  635  is considerably minimized over the PRIOR-ART examples due to elastomeric seal support features as follows: Circumferential seal lip  637 , in conjunction with rocker element alignment portion  638 , and tapered supportive vent ribs  636  drastically reduce the likelihood that elastomeric seal  645  will extrude into valve body through hole  635 . Yet, fluid will be allowed to pass through valve body through hole  635 . At any angle in the tilt range of actuation stem  651  wherein valve  600  is actuated open, the causative principle of the invention incorporates a non-sealable condition on a portion between valve seat  630 , seal  645 , and rocker element  650 , thus allowing fluid to exit valve second end  620  while not creating a substantial gap allowing for seal extrusion. 
   As discussed previous, each of the exemplary embodiments describe a seal using an o-ring and a spring force using a traditional compression spring. One skilled in the art of sealing and creating mechanical biasing forces in mechanisms realizes that a handful of methods and hardware can literally be interchanged to accomplish identical or substantially similar functions without drifting from the causative principle of the representative teachings, according to the embodiments, each having advantages and drawbacks in comparison to the other similar designs. 
   That said, to the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof which is limited only by a fair assessment of the following claims. 
   Having fully described the present invention and alternately preferred embodiments thereof in such clear and concise terms as to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the same without the need for undue experimentation, the invention claimed is: