GB2178825A

GB2178825A - Fluid control valves

Info

Publication number: GB2178825A
Application number: GB8520090A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Albert Fletcher Wigley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-08-09
Filing date: 1985-08-09
Publication date: 1987-02-18
Also published as: GB8520090D0

Abstract

A fluid control valve assembly for inclusion in fluid flow lines comprises a valve 36, a non-return valve 20 and a test plug 29 e.g. for testing the efficacy of the non-return valve. The test plug aperture may be inclined or parallel to the spindle of valve 36. Testing can be achieved when the combined valve is installed in a wall recess or behind wall faces and access panels. The test plug can be a type similar to a radiator air vent valve with square head and loose key or a threaded shank with a head for turning with household tools. The test plug aperture 27 may alternatively receive a threaded pipe connection e.g. attached to a pressure gauge or pressure recording instrument. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION This invention relates to fluid flow control valves This invention relates to a valve unit incorporating a stop valve non-return valve and test plug for inclusion in a fluid flow line.

Stop valves and non-return valves are well known devices for controlling fluid in pipe systems. A stop valve prevents fluid flowing in either direction and non-return valves allow fluids and flow in one direction only.

In cases where it is important to check if a non return valve is performing its function should a back pressure occur on the outlet side, or alternatively a minus or vacuum pressure occur on the inlet side it is often difficult in ordinary pipe systems to undertake a check or test without removing the non-return valve or introducing control valves and drain valves.

According to the present invention there are two types of valve units for inclusion in a fluid flow line each comprising a body with an inlet for a pipe connection, a valve seating, an aperture to receive a standard 1010 stop valve headwork and valve closure, or an alternative type of valve closure, an outlet chamber in which is incorporated a patented non-return valve assembly sub-unit with an outlet terminating in a pipe connection. Within the outlet chamber and between the valve headwork aperture and the inlet to the non-return valve is an internally threaded aperture for a test plug which is positioned either at an inclined angle or parallel to the longitudinal centre line of the spindle of the stop valve.Two aspects of the invention are described as follows: In the first aspect, the valve closure within the body aperture is a standard 1010 stop-valve headwork and valve closure and incorporated (or integrated) within an outlet chamber is a patented non-return valve assembly sub-unit. Secured within an internally threaded aperture of the outlet chamber is a test plug with a head to fit a loose turnkey and at the opposite end of a threaded shank is a cone shaped valve closure secured against a valve seating within the valve body. A standard radiator air vent key fits the head of the test plug. The test plug and aperture are at an inclined angle to the centre line of the spindle of the stop valve.

In the second aspect, the body has a 1010 stop valve headwork, non-return valve assembly subunit and all the other features described in the first aspect with the exception that the internally threaded aperture for the test plug is in a parallel position to the longitudinal centre of the stop valve spindle and a different type of test plug can be secured in the threaded aperture.

The head of the test plug can be varied to suit individual types of household tools for insertion and extraction.

In the first and second aspect of this invention the internally threaded aperture for the test plug can receive a threaded pipe connection attached to a pressure gauge or pressure recording instru ment. Testing procedure can be undertaken during a fully pressurised fluid flow by closing the stop valve and releasing the plug from its seating. After the initial pressure has been released, the absence of fluid from the plug aperture will verify the effi cacy of the non-return valve.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows a section of a combined stop valve with 1010 headwork a non-return valve sub assembly unit, an inclined test plug an inclined test plug aperture and a detached test plug.

Figure 2 shows a section of a combined stop valve with 1010 headwork a non-return valve subassembly unit and a test plug secured in an inter nally threaded aperture.

Referring to the drawing, Figure 1 and the first aspect of the invention. A valve body 10 has a union inlet for a pipe connection 12 a valve seating 14 an outlet chamber 16, a threaded male end 18, and a patented non-return valve assembly sub-unit 20 which is incorporated between the threaded male end 18 and an internal female thread of a valve housing 22. The valve housing 22 terminates in a union outlet for a pipe connection 24. At an inclined angle to the centre line of the body and adjacent to male thread 18 is a recessed housing 26 with an internally threaded aperture 27 and a valve seating 28 at the base. A detached plug 29 has a cone shaped valve closure 30 and a longitudinal slot 31 along the threaded part of the plug 29, which acts as a pressure relief outlet when the cone valve 30 is released from its seating 28.The plug 29 has a square shaped head 32 for insertion into a standard type radiator air vent key. Within the valve body 10 a standard type 1010 stop valve headwork 34 is secured into the valve body 10 by means of male and female threads with the valve closure 36 in the closed position. During a pressurised flow through the combined valve with the test plug 29 in the sealing position and the stop valve 36 in the open position, the stop valve can be closed, the test plug 29 released from its seating and pressure released through slot 31 and the plug removed if required.

The non-return valve retains the fluid in the pipe system and the efficacy of the non-return valve verified if no leakage occurs from the aperture 27.

This facility of instant testing can be of vital importance if contaminated fluid is found in a pipe system.

Referring to the drawing Figure 2, and the second aspect of the invention, all the main features of the stop valve and non-return valve are identical to those described in Figure 1 apart from the test plug and aperture which is now parallel to the centre line of the stop valve spindle. The valve body in its pre-machined form is designed for an internally threaded aperture to be machined at the angles shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Reference is now made to the test plug features in which:- the valve body 10 has an internally threaded aperture 40 located in a parallel position to the centre line of the stop valve spindle 34. Se cured within the threaded aperture 40 is a test plug 41 with a flanged head 42. Moulded in various shapes for insertion or extraction by household tools. Between the flanged head of the test plug 41 and a prepared face of the body 10 a plastic washer 43 is compressed to achieve a watertight joint.

The testing procedures are similar to those described in the first aspect of Figure 1.

With the test plug in the position described the combined valve can be installed in recessed channels and behind wall faces and testing procedures can be undertaken.

Claims

1. Fluid flow control valves comprising two types of valve units for inclusion in a fluid flow line each comprising a body with an inlet for a pipe connection, a valve seating, an aperture to receive a standard 1010 stop-valve headwork and valve closure, or an alternative type of valve closure, an outlet chamber in which is incorporated a non-return valve assembly sub-unit with an outlet terminating in a pipe connection. Within the outlet chamber and between the valve headwork aperture and the inlet to the non-return valve is an internally threaded aperture for a test plug which is positioned either at an inclined angle or parallel to the longitudinal centre line of the spindle of the stop-valve. The aspects of the invention are described as follows.

2. Fluid flow control valves as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the first aspect of the cornbined valve the valve closure within the body aperture can be a standard 1010 stop-valve headwork and valve closure and incorporated or integrated within an outlet chamber is a non-return-valve assembly subunit. Secured within an internally threaded aperture of the outlet chamber is a test plug with a head to fit a loose turnkey and at the opposite end of a threaded shank is a cone shaped valve closure secured against a valve seating within the valve body. A standard radiator air vent key fits the head of the test plug. The test plug and aperture are at an inclined angle to the centre line of the spindle of the stop-valve to allow for immediate and accessible testing procedures.

3. Fluid flow control valves as claimed in any preceding Claim wherein the second aspect of the combined valve comprises a body, a standard 1010 stop-valve headwork, a non-return valve assembly sub-unit and all the other features described in the first aspect with the exception that the internally threaded aperture for the test plug is in a parallel position to the longitudinal centre of the stop-valve spindle and a different type of test plug can be secured in the threaded aperture. The head of the test plug can be varied to suit individual types of household tools.

4. Fluid flow control valves as claimed in any preceding Claims wherein the first and second aspect of the said valves the internally threaded aperture for the test plug can receive a threaded pipe connection attached to a pressure gauge or a pressure recording instrument.

5. Fluid flow control valves as claimed in any preceding Claims wherein testing procedures to verify the efficacy of the non-return valve within the sub-unit assembly can be undertaken during a fully pressurised flow by closing the stop-valve and releasing the test plug from its seating. By removing the plug and inserting a flexible and transparent tube in the aperture visible and recorded quantities of fluid could be obtained if the non-return valve should leak.

6. Fluid flow control valves as claimed in any preceding Claims wherein the second aspect of the said valve, the test plug is adjacent to and in a parallel position to the longitudinal centre of the valve spindle in order that the said valve can be installed in recessed channels and behind wall faces and access to the valve headwork and test plug can only be achieved through removable access panels to allow for testing procedures to be undertaken as previously described.

7. Fluid flow control valves substantially as described herein with references to Figures 1 - 2 of the accompanying drawing.