Pipeline system with automatically closing ports

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a pipeline component, which includes a hollow body having a first opening and a second opening. A valve port fluidly connected to the first opening is provided on the body, and a valve port seat is provided in the valve port. A baffle is pressed against the valve port seat by a spring, and the spring fluidly separates the second opening from the first opening and the valve port. The valve plug includes a check valve. When the valve plug is disposed in the valve port, the valve plug separates the baffle from the valve port seat to fluidly connect the first opening and the second opening with a fluid flow that only flows in the first direction when the check valve is in an open state. The present disclosure also relates to a valve plug.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to European Patent Application No. 19191034.8, filed on August 9, 2019, with the invention title "Pipeline System With Automatically Closing Port", which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a pipeline assembly and, more particularly, to a system for automatically closing a downstream valve to facilitate maintenance operations. Background Art

[0004] In many water or fluid supply systems, the pipeline system will include backflow prevention valves and components, sometimes referred to as backflow preventer (BFP) units. The BFP unit ensures that the fluid and any solids therein flow only in the desired direction (i.e., forward) because backflow can cause contamination and health problems. Typically, BFP units are required by local laws and regulations. The backflow prevention valves and components are installed in buildings such as residential homes, commercial buildings, and factories to protect the public water supply by preventing contaminated water from flowing back into the public water source.

[0005] A typical BFP unit includes an inlet shut - off valve and an outlet shut - off valve, and the backflow prevention valve (sometimes referred to as a "check valve") is positioned between the inlet shut - off valve and the outlet shut - off valve. There are a variety of different configurations of backflow prevention components available on the market, each with a different configuration.

[0006] Since the BFP unit is crucial for water safety, it is typically manually tested annually according to government regulations to ensure normal operating conditions. Specifically, fluid pressure measurements are taken at designated locations in the BFP unit. If it is determined that the check valve needs to be replaced, the inlet shut - off valve and the outlet shut - off valve must be closed, the check valve replaced and tested, the shut - off valves opened, and it must be confirmed that the equipment is operating in accordance with any local regulations and / or standards. This process is time - consuming and the above steps must be performed in the correct order to avoid contaminating the public water supply or accidentally flooding an area.

[0007] There is a need for a better system for maintaining pipeline systems that include backflow prevention systems. Summary of the Invention

[0008] In one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a pipeline assembly, the pipeline assembly comprising: a body having an internal space defined therein; an outlet opening provided on the hollow body and fluidly connected to the internal space of the body; a valve port opening provided on the body and fluidly connected to the internal space of the body; a valve port seat provided in the valve port opening; a baffle; and a spring connected to the baffle and configured to press the baffle against the valve port seat to fluidly separate the outlet opening from the valve port opening.

[0009] In one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a pipeline assembly, the pipeline assembly comprising: a hollow body having a first opening and a second opening; a valve port provided on the hollow body, wherein the valve port is fluidly connected to the first opening; a valve port seat provided in the valve port; a baffle; and a spring connected to the baffle and configured to press the baffle against the valve port seat to fluidly separate the second opening from the first opening.

[0010] In one aspect, the pipeline assembly includes a valve plug provided in the valve port, wherein the valve plug separates the baffle from the valve port seat to fluidly connect the first opening and the second opening to each other.

[0011] In another aspect, the valve plug further includes: a valve plug body; a check valve provided in the valve plug body between a first space and a second space defined in the valve plug body, wherein the check valve is configured to prevent fluid from flowing between the second space and the first space when the check valve is in a closed configuration, and wherein when the check valve is in the closed configuration, the first space is fluidly connected to the first opening and not fluidly connected to the second opening.

[0012] In another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a valve plug, the valve plug comprising: a valve plug body; and at least one of the following: a check valve provided in the valve plug body between a first space and a second space defined in the valve plug body, wherein the check valve is configured to prevent fluid from flowing between the second space and the first space when the check valve is in a closed configuration; or a filter provided in the valve plug body between the first space and the second space, wherein the filter is configured to filter out unwanted particulate matter in the fluid flow between the first space and the second space.

[0013] In another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a pipeline component, the pipeline component comprising: a hollow body having an internal space; an inlet opening and an outlet opening, each of the inlet opening and the outlet opening being provided on the hollow body and fluidly connected to the internal space of the body; a valve port provided on the hollow body and fluidly connected to the inlet opening; a valve port seat provided in the valve port; a baffle; a spring coupled to the baffle, the spring configured to press the baffle against the valve port seat; and a valve plug body provided in the valve port, wherein the valve plug separates the baffle from the valve port seat. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Aspects of the present disclosure will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that, for simplicity of illustration, the elements shown in the drawings are not necessarily drawn precisely or to scale. For example, for clarity, the dimensions of some elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements, or several physical components may be included in one functional block or functional element. Additionally, where appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated in the various drawings to indicate corresponding or similar elements. However, for clarity, not every component will be labeled in each drawing. The drawings are provided for purposes of illustration and explanation and are not intended to be a definition of the limits of the present disclosure. In the drawings:

[0015] Figure 1 is a pipeline component according to one aspect of the present disclosure;

[0016] Figure 2 is a valve plug according to one aspect of the present disclosure;

[0017] Figure 3 represents according to one aspect of the present disclosure relative to Figure 1 of the component Figure 2 valve plug;

[0018] Figure 4 represents inserted into Figure 1 the component of the valve plug;

[0019] Figure 5 represents Figure 4 operation of the component; and

[0020] Figure 6 represents a pipeline component including a filter plug. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] This application claims the priority of the European patent application filed on August 9, 2019, with application number 19191034.8 and invention title "Pipeline System with Automatic Closing Port", and this patent application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

[0022] Aspects of the present disclosure can be applied to many different plumbing systems, not just those that include a backflow prevention system. Thus, the plumbing systems with backflow prevention systems cited herein are only used to help explain the various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0023] The subject technology overcomes many known problems associated with plumbing components that include backflow prevention components. By the following detailed description of certain exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawings, the advantages and other features of the technology disclosed herein will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, in which like reference numerals represent like structural elements. It should be noted that directional indications such as vertical, horizontal, upward, downward, right, left, etc. are used with respect to the drawings and do not represent limiting meanings.

[0024] In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a plumbing component 100 (e.g., a backflow prevention system as Figure 1 shown) includes a hollow body 102 having a first opening 104 (i.e., an inlet) and a second opening 108 (i.e., an outlet). A valve port 112 is disposed in the body 102 and is fluidly coupled to the first opening 104. A valve port seat 116 is disposed in the valve port 112. A baffle 120 is urged against the valve port seat 116 by a spring 124 to fluidly separate the second opening 108 from the first opening 104 and the valve port 112. A ball valve assembly 128 including a handle 130 and a ball 132 is configured to fluidly separate or fluidly couple the inlet 104 from the interior of the body 102, as Figure 1 shown.

[0025] The valve port 112 includes a proximal portion 133 and a distal portion 134. An internal proximal threaded portion 138 is disposed adjacent to the proximal portion 133. An internal distal threaded portion 142 is disposed adjacent to the distal portion 134. The valve port seat 116 includes an external threaded portion 146 such that the valve port seat 116 can be threadedly coupled to the distal portion 134 of the valve port 112.

[0026] Since the spring 124 is configured to urge the baffle 120 against the valve seat port 116, the outlet port 108 is fluidly separated from the interior of the body 102, that is, fluidly isolated from the interior of the body 102. Advantageously, a second ball valve is not required to isolate the "downstream" fluid from the supply source. This simplifies the backflow prevention component by reducing the number of valves required. Thus, the component is less expensive and simplifies any method of repairing or replacing parts.

[0027] Now referring to Figure 2, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the check valve plug 200 includes a plug body 202. The plug body 202 is provided with an external thread portion 203, the purpose of which will be described below. A check valve 204 is disposed in the plug body 202 between a first space 208 and a second space 212 defined in the plug body 202. The check valve 204 is configured to prevent fluid from flowing between the second space 212 and the first space 208 when the check valve 204 is in a closed configuration. The construction of the check valve is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art and thus need not be described in detail herein. The plug 200 further includes at least one first space vent 216 defined in the plug body 202 and fluidly connected to the first space 208, and at least one second space vent 220 defined in the plug body 202 and fluidly connected to the second space 212. The plug 200 further includes a proximal O-ring 230 around the proximal portion 232 of the plug 200, a middle O-ring 234 around the middle portion 236 of the plug 200, and a distal O-ring 238 around the distal portion 240 of the plug 200. As will be described below, each of the O-rings 234, 238 provides a fluid-tight seal between the plug 200 and the valve seat 116.

[0028] Now refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , when the plug 200 is fully disposed in the valve port 112, the plug 200 separates the baffle 120 from the valve seat 116 to fluidly couple the opening 104 and the second opening 108 to the second space 212 of the plug 200. When the check valve 204 remains closed, any downstream fluid remains isolated from the supply source. As will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, when the ball valve 128 is closed, as Figure 3 shown, the plug 200 can be removed and replaced or otherwise maintained.

[0029] The O-rings 234, 238 are positioned on the plug 200 such that, in the case of removing the plug 200, after the baffle 120 has been closed, at least the distal O-ring 238 still contacts the valve seat 116. Further, when inserting the plug 200, before the baffle 120 has been opened, at least the middle O-ring 234 contacts the valve seat 116. Advantageously, in any case of placement or removal, the potential leakage of fluid is minimized.

[0030] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the plug 200 can be screwed into the check valve port 112 by the interaction of the internal thread portion 138 and the external thread portion 203.

[0031] When the ball valve 128 is opened, as Figure 5As shown, fluid will flow from inlet 104 to outlet 108 in the direction F without reverse contamination or flow. However, it should be noted that when the valve plug 200 is fully inserted into the check valve port 112 and the check valve 204 is in the closed configuration, the first space 208 is fluidly connected to the first opening 104 and not fluidly connected to the second opening 108. Additionally, when the check valve 204 is in the closed configuration, the second space 212 is fluidly connected to the second opening 108 and not fluidly connected to the first opening 104.

[0032] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the plumbing system 600 includes a filter plug 602 as Figure 6 shown. The filter plug 602 includes a filtering component 604 (such as a screen or sieve) disposed within the valve plug body 602 to filter out unwanted particulate matter in the fluid flow from the first space 208 to the second space 212. Insertion / removal of the filter plug 602 is performed in the same manner as described above for the operation of the baffle 120.

[0033] Advantageously, as will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, in another embodiment, an outlet ball valve need not be provided since the outlet 108 will automatically close upon removal of the valve plug 200.

[0034] Furthermore, a filtering function can be incorporated into the valve plug 200 by providing a screen or filter sieve around at least one first space vent 216 fluidly connected to the first space 208. Thus, unwanted particulate matter can be removed from the downstream flow.

[0035] In addition, to avoid or reduce the risk of backflow into the common network, the assembly 100 can be installed such that the orientation of the proximal end 130 of the valve port 112 is downward. With such an orientation, during maintenance of the assembly 100 as described above, any residual fluid will be drained to the outside due to gravity.

[0036] Those of ordinary skill in the relevant art should understand that in alternative embodiments, the functions of several elements can be implemented by fewer elements or a single element. Similarly, in some embodiments, any functional element can perform fewer operations or different operations compared to the functional elements described for the illustrated embodiments. Additionally, functional elements shown as different for illustrative purposes (such as check valves, shut-off valves, etc.) can be incorporated into other functional elements in a particular implementation.

[0037] Although the subject technology has been illustrated for various embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily understand that various modifications and / or variations can be made to the subject technology without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A pipeline component, comprising: A body having an internal space defined therein; An outlet opening provided on the body and fluidly connected to the internal space of the body; A valve port opening provided on the body and fluidly connected to the internal space of the body; A valve port seat provided in the valve port opening; A baffle; A spring connected to the baffle and configured to press the baffle against the valve port seat to fluidly separate the outlet opening from the valve port opening; A valve plug positioned in the valve port opening to separate the baffle from the valve port seat; And A filter provided in the valve plug.

2. The pipeline assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The valve port seat is threadedly connected to the body.

3. The pipeline assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The valve plug is threadedly connected to the valve port opening.

4. The pipeline component according to claim 1, wherein, The valve plug further comprises: A check valve configured to prevent fluid from flowing in a direction from the outlet opening.

5. The pipeline component according to claim 1, wherein: The valve plug is configured to fluidly isolate the valve port opening from the internal space of the body.

6. The pipeline assembly according to claim 5, wherein, The valve plug further comprises: A valve plug body; and A check valve defining a first internal valve space and a second internal valve space in the interior of the valve plug body, the first internal valve space being fluidly connected to the internal space of the body, Wherein the check valve prevents fluid from flowing between the first internal valve space and the second internal valve space when in a closed configuration.

7. A pipeline component, comprising: A hollow body having a first opening and a second opening; A valve port provided on the hollow body, wherein the valve port is fluidly connected to the first opening; A valve port seat provided in the valve port; A baffle; A spring connected to the baffle and configured to press the baffle against the valve port seat to fluidly separate the second opening from the first opening; A valve plug provided in the valve port, wherein the valve plug separates the baffle from the valve port seat to fluidly connect the first opening and the second opening to each other; and A check valve provided in the valve plug, wherein the check valve is configured to prevent fluid from flowing in a direction from the second opening to the first opening.

8. The pipeline component according to claim 7, further comprising: A filter provided in the valve plug.

9. The pipeline assembly according to claim 7, wherein, The valve plug further comprises: A valve plug body; A check valve provided in the valve plug body between a first space and a second space defined in the valve plug body, Wherein the check valve is configured to prevent fluid from flowing between the second space and the first space when the check valve is in a closed configuration, and Wherein when the check valve is in a closed configuration, the first space is fluidly connected to the first opening and not fluidly connected to the second opening.

10. The pipeline component according to claim 9, wherein, The valve plug further comprises: At least one first space vent defined in the valve plug body and fluidly connected to the first space; and At least one second space vent, the at least one second space vent being defined in the valve plug body and in fluid communication with the second space.

11. The pipeline assembly according to claim 7, wherein, The valve seat is disposed within the hollow body.

12. The pipeline assembly according to claim 7, wherein, The valve plug is threadedly coupled to the valve port.

13. The pipeline assembly according to claim 7, wherein, The valve seat is threadedly coupled to the body.

14. A pipeline assembly, comprising: A hollow body having an internal space; An inlet opening and an outlet opening, each of the inlet opening and the outlet opening being disposed on the hollow body and in fluid communication with the internal space of the body; A valve port disposed on the hollow body and in fluid communication with the inlet opening; A valve seat disposed within the valve port; A baffle; A spring coupled to the baffle and configured to press the baffle against the valve seat; and A valve plug body disposed within the valve port, wherein the valve plug separates the baffle from the valve seat; and The pipeline assembly further comprises at least one of the following: A check valve disposed in the valve plug body between a first space and a second space defined in the valve plug body, wherein the check valve is configured to prevent fluid from flowing between the second space and the first space when the check valve is in a closed configuration; or a filter disposed in the valve plug body between the first space and the second space, wherein the filter is configured to filter out unwanted particulate matter in the fluid flow between the first space and the second space.

15. The pipeline assembly according to claim 14, wherein, The valve plug body is threadedly coupled to the valve port.

16. The pipeline assembly according to claim 14, wherein, The valve seat is threadedly coupled to the hollow body.

17. A pipeline assembly, comprising: A body having an internal space defined therein; An outlet opening disposed on the body and in fluid communication with the internal space of the body; A valve port opening disposed on the body and in fluid communication with the internal space of the body; A valve seat disposed within the valve port opening; A baffle; A spring coupled to the baffle and configured to press the baffle against the valve seat to fluidly separate the outlet opening from the valve port opening; and A valve plug positioned within the valve port opening to separate the baffle from the valve seat, wherein the valve plug further comprises a check valve configured to prevent fluid from flowing in a direction from the outlet opening.

18. The pipeline assembly according to claim 17, wherein: The valve plug is configured to fluidly isolate the valve port opening from the internal space of the body.

19. The pipeline assembly according to claim 18, wherein, The valve plug further comprises: A valve plug body; A check valve defining a first internal valve space and a second internal valve space within the interior of the valve plug body, the first internal valve space being in fluid communication with the internal space of the body, wherein the check valve prevents fluid from flowing between the first internal valve space and the second internal valve space when in a closed configuration.

20. The pipeline assembly according to claim 19, wherein, The valve plug further comprises: At least one first space vent, the at least one first space vent being defined in the valve plug body and in fluid communication with the first internal valve space; and At least one second space vent, the at least one second space vent being defined in the valve plug body and in fluid communication with the second internal valve space.

21. A pipeline assembly, comprising: A body having an internal space defined therein; An outlet opening provided on the body and fluidly coupled to the internal space of the body; A valve port opening provided on the body and fluidly coupled to the internal space of the body; A valve port seat provided in the valve port opening; A baffle; A spring coupled to the baffle and configured to press the baffle against the valve port seat to fluidly separate the outlet opening from the valve port opening; A valve plug positioned in the valve port opening to separate the baffle from the valve port seat, wherein the valve plug is configured to fluidly isolate the valve port opening from the internal space of the body, and wherein the valve plug further includes a valve plug body and a check valve, the check valve defining a first internal valve space and a second internal valve space within the valve plug body, the first internal valve space being fluidly coupled to the internal space of the body, wherein the check valve prevents fluid from flowing between the first internal valve space and the second internal valve space when in a closed configuration.

22. The pipeline assembly according to claim 21, wherein, The valve plug further includes: At least one first space vent, the at least one first space vent being defined in the valve plug body and in fluid communication with the first internal valve space; and At least one second space vent, the at least one second space vent being defined in the valve plug body and in fluid communication with the second internal valve space.

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