Valve assemblies and water supply systems

Abstract

To provide an improved valve assembly.SOLUTION: A valve assembly includes a movable valve element (3) arranged to move relative to a valve housing (30) between an open position and a closed position. The valve housing includes a drainage body (40) provided with drainage holes (41, 42) arranged to allow fluid to drain from the valve assembly from gaps (10, 11, 12) between the movable valve element and the housing via the drainage holes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Claims

1. A valve assembly comprising a movable valve element (3) positioned to move relative to a valve housing (30) between an open position and a closed position, comprising a drain body (40) having drain holes (41, 42) positioned to allow fluid to be discharged from the valve assembly through a gap (10, 11, 12) between the movable valve element and the housing, The drainage body includes a container (80) for containing the fluid flowing from the drainage hole, The container includes a material (90) for absorbing the discharged fluid, A valve assembly comprising a container having a first chamber (81) for receiving the fluid, a second chamber (82) containing the material, and a perforated partition (83) between the first and second chambers.

2. The valve assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a flexible washer (50) that covers the drain hole in a first non-deformed position, bends in response to fluid pressure from the gap to the deformed position, and is configured such that a flow path is provided from the gap to the drain hole.

3. The valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein the container is a removable container.

4. The valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein the fluid is water and the material is a hygroscopic material.

5. The valve assembly according to claim 2, wherein the washer comprises a flexible washer body (51) sized to cover the drain hole and a connector portion (52) for attachment to the valve housing.

6. The valve assembly according to claim 5, wherein the valve housing further comprises a wall (43) for compressing the outer edge of the washer body to prevent debris from entering the valve.

7. A water supply system comprising a water supply unit and a water supply tank, a water supply line between the water supply unit and the water supply tank, and a valve assembly according to claim 1, disposed in the water supply line for regulating the flow of water from the water supply unit to the water supply tank.

8. A water supply system comprising a water supply tank and a water supply outlet, a water supply line between the water supply tank and the water supply outlet, and a valve assembly according to claim 1, disposed in the water supply line for regulating the flow of water from the water supply tank to the water supply outlet.

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