GB2387217A

GB2387217A - Stopcock with expandable valve member

Info

Publication number: GB2387217A
Application number: GB0202867A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark John Curtis
Original assignee: GEORGE FISCHER SALES Ltd
Current assignee: GEORGE FISCHER SALES Ltd
Priority date: 2002-02-07
Filing date: 2002-02-07
Publication date: 2003-10-08
Also published as: GB0202867D0

Abstract

A stopcock (10) in which its body has an interconnectable fluid inlet (11) and outlet (12) each terminating inwardly within the body at terminations (13,14), at least one termination forming a seating; a valve member (16) is movable along an axis (X), via a screw thread, within the body; the member (16) has an elastomeric element (19) which when compressed in an inward direction of the axis is arranged to expand outwardly from the axis to seat against the or each seating to close off fluid interconnection between the inlet (11) and outlet (11). The head of the valve member (16) is covered by a cap (2), with 'O' ring seal (3), screwed into the end of the body, the cap (2) has holes (22) to receive a tool to unscrew the cap (2) and the same tool may also be used to engage the screw head (17) of valve member (16).

Description

o; STO K 5 The present invention relates to a tap or stopcock for fluid

mainly but not exclusively for gas.

Gas stopcocks are used at the outer end of risers to seal the end so that equipment or other pipework can be connected lo or disconnected. Stopcocks are of various designs but three common designs are firstly where a stem screws a jumper or washer onto a seating to close off an interconnection between an inlet an outlet; secondly there is a gate valve used to shut off large volumes of liquid; and thirdly there 15 is a simple rotatable element with a hole in the middle at right angles to the axis of rotation which when rotated brings the hole in the element into or out of alignment with the inlet and outlet to open or close interconnection.

These cocks are either somewhat complicated to make or are So poor at stopping gas flows.

According to the present invention, a stopcock comprises a cock body having an interconnectable fluid inlet and outlet each terminating inwardly within the body at terminations, 25 at least one termination forming a seating, a valve member movable along an axis within the body, the member including an elastomeric element which when compressed in an inward direction of the axis is arranged to expand outwardly from the axis to seat against the or each seating to close off 30 fluid interconnection between the inlet and outlet.

Preferably the elastomeric element is mounted on a valve member which is movable along said axis by means of being screwed within a valve chamber. An outer end of the chamber 35 is preferably sealed by means of a cap which is removable to access a head of the valve member.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which -

o - a) Figure 1 is an axial cross section of a stopcock of the invention in the open position an with its valve chamber capped off but with the inlet and outlet curtailed; Figure 2 is an axial cross section similar to Figure 1 for the same stopcock but with the chamber cap removed and the cock closed; and lo Figure 3 is an end view of Figure 2 taken from the open end of the chamber.

In the drawings the stopcock 10 has a cast metal (preferably brass or malleable cast iron) body, an inlet 11 and outlet 12. The inlet has a termination at a seating 13 and the outlet has a termination with a seating 14, each seating has seating surfaces at the terminations where the inlet and outlet joins a valve chamber 15.

20 Movable along axis X in chamber 15 is a valve member 16 having a head 17 which engages rotatably with a threaded portion 18 of chamber 15. Mounted to member 16 is a rubber or other elastomeric hollow element 19 which then the head 17 is screwed down towards the seatings, bottoms on abutment 25 surface 20. Further screwing down of head 17 causes the element 19 to expand outwardly as shown in Figure 2 to seat on both seatings 13 and 14 thereby closing intercommunication between the inlet and outlet.

30 In order to close off the valve chamber a cap 2 with 'O' ring seal 3 is screwed into the end of the chamber. The cap 2 has holes 22 to receive a tool to unscrew the cap (see Figure 1) and the same tool or possibly a different end of the same tool can be used to engage and screw head 17 of 3s member 16.

The arrangement shown is particularly but not exclusively designed so that inlet 11 can receive a 32mm "Drawlock"

o. . (4 c to fitting whilst the outlet is connectable to a 1" BSP steel service pipe.

Claims

1. A stopcock comprising a cock body having an interconnectable fluid inlet and outlet each terminating 5 inwardly within the body at terminations, at least one termination forming a seating, a valve member movable along an axis within the body, the member including an elastomeric element which when compressed in an inward direction of the axis is arranged to expand outwardly from the axis to seat lo against the or each seating to close off fluid interconnection between the inlet and outlet.

2. A stopcock as claimed in claim 1 wherein the elastomeric element is mounted on a valve member which is 15 movable along said axis by screw means.

3. A stopcock as claimed in claim 2 wherein the valve member is screwed with a valve chamber.

20

4. A stopcock as claimed in claim 3 wherein an outer end of the chamber is sealed by means of a cap which is removable to access a head of the valve member.

5. A stopcock substantially a described with reference to 25 the accompanying drawing.