Check valve

Abstract

A check valve which is positioned in the vacuum air line of an internal combustion engine. The check valve includes a single-piece valve body having an outlet port and two or more inlet ports, with one outlet port located substantially in line with the inlet port and connected by a venturi tube. The second inlet port is separated from the main air flow line by the valve stem and a diaphragm which allows communication there between and prevents back pressure. The second inlet port communicates with the outlet port through the valve stem and a second venturi tube which provides a vacuum boost to a device, usually vehicle brakes, connected to the inlet.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to valves, and will have special application to check valves used in internal combustion engines.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONInternal combustion engines have long employed air flow conduits to provide vacuum assist for automobile subsystems, such as brakes, automatic transmissions and others. These systems often employed chick valves located along the air flow conduit to prevent subsystem back pressure from reaching the engine. A typical check valve of this sort is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,889,710.Prior check valves employed either a continuous diameter airway or employed multiple valves and hoses to create a venturi effect and act as a vacuum booster for the subsystem to which it was associated. Space limitations in the automobile engine compartment all but preclude the use of multiple valve-hose system, while the prior art continuous diameter airways did not provide the increased power boost desired to implement the brakes or other s...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This invention provides for a space-saving vacuum booster check valve located along a conduit between the air intake manifold and the brake booster. The check valve includes three or more ports connected by hoses to the air intake, block, and one or more vehicle subsystems. Venturi tubes in the valve body connect the various ports to provide a vacuum booster effect to the subsystem. A common concave valve seat and diaphragm serve to prevent back pressure from the subsystem from entering the main conduit between the air intake and the engine block.

Another object is to provide a check valve for an internal combustion engine which is efficient, economical, durable, and still meets the minimal size specifications of an automobile engine compartment.

Problems solved by technology

Space limitations in the automobile engine compartment all but preclude the use of multiple valve-hose system, while the prior art continuous diameter airways did not provide the increased power boost desired to implement the brakes or other subsystem.

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