Ball-type check valve

Abstract

To provide a ball-type check valve that allows for easy discharge of wastewater remaining inside the ball-type check valve without the need to install bypass piping or other means to divert the wastewater. [Solution] A ball-type check valve 1 comprises a fluid inlet 11 and outlet 12, a valve seat 13 having an opening 14, and a ball valve 15 that closes the opening 14. When fluid flows in from the inlet 11, the ball valve 15 separates from the valve seat 13 and the fluid flows to the outlet 12, and when the inflow of fluid from the inlet 11 stops, the ball valve 15 seats on the valve seat 13 and closes the opening 14. The ball valve holding mechanism 2 is provided that allows the ball valve 15 to be held in a state separated from the valve seat 13 by external operation when the inflow of fluid from the inlet 11 has stopped.

Description

[[Technical Field]]

[0001] The present invention relates to a ball-type check valve used in manhole pump systems and the like. [[Background Art]]

[0002] A manhole pump system for conveying sewage to a sewage treatment facility includes a plurality of manhole pump devices installed along a sewage conveyance path. The manhole pump device includes a manhole that stores sewage flowing in from an inflow pipe at an end of a sewage conveyance pipe, and a manhole pump that pressure-feeds the sewage stored in the manhole to an outflow pipe. To the manhole pump, for example, a discharge curved pipe, a water lifting pipe, a ball-type check valve, an outflow pipe and the like are respectively flange-connected.

[0003] The ball-type check valve includes an inflow port and an outflow port for sewage, a flow path formed between the inflow port and the outflow port, a valve seat provided in the middle of the flow path and having an opening, and a ball valve that can be seated on and separated from the valve seat. When the manhole pump operates and sewage flows from the inflow port to the outflow port, the ball valve is separated from the valve seat. When the manhole pump stops and the inflow of sewage from the inflow port ceases, the ball valve seats on the valve seat to close the opening and prevent backflow of sewage from the outflow pipe.

[0004] Unlike a common swing-type check valve, the ball-type check valve has a simple configuration with no fulcrum for opening and closing the valve element, and therefore has advantages such as that filth is less likely to get entangled inside. As such a ball-type check valve, for example, the one described in Patent Document 1 is known. [[Prior Art Documents]] [[Patent Documents]]

[0005] [[Patent Document 1]] Japanese Patent No. 3453424 [[Summary of the Invention]] [[Problem to be Solved by the Invention]]

[0006] When the manhole pump stops and the inflow of sewage from the inlet ceases, sewage remains inside the ball-type check valve and in a portion of the piping connected downstream of the ball-type check valve. This creates a problem where, when attempting to remove the ball-type check valve for repair or replacement, residual sewage leaks out, making the work difficult.

[0007] To solve this problem, one possible solution is to install a bypass pipe around a ball-type check valve to divert wastewater, but there is a possibility that foreign objects could enter the bypass pipe and cause a blockage.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a ball-type check valve that can easily discharge wastewater remaining inside the ball-type check valve without providing bypass piping or the like to divert the wastewater. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The features of the ball-type check valve according to the present invention are: Fluid inlet and outlet, A valve seat having an opening, It comprises a ball valve that closes the opening, In a ball-type check valve, when fluid flows in from the inlet, the ball valve separates from the valve seat and the fluid flows to the outlet, and when the inflow of fluid from the inlet stops, the ball valve seats on the valve seat and closes the opening, The ball valve holding mechanism is provided that allows the ball valve to be held in a state separated from the valve seat by external operation when the inflow of fluid from the inlet is stopped.

[0010] In the ball-type check valve according to the present invention, it is preferable that the ball valve holding mechanism includes a rotatably supported elongated member, and that the elongated member pushes up the ball valve and holds it in a state separated from the valve seat.

[0011] The ball-type check valve according to the present invention has a retraction space for retracting the ball valve diagonally upward from the valve seat, and a housing portion for housing the elongated member, wherein the housing portion is provided below the valve seat and on the side of the retraction space.

[0012] In the ball-type check valve according to the present invention, the ball valve holding mechanism is equipped with a pressing member, and it is preferable that the pressing member presses the ball valve from the side and holds it in a state separated from the valve seat.

[0013] In the ball-type check valve according to the present invention, the ball valve holding mechanism is equipped with a wire member, and it is preferable that the wire member is used to lift the ball valve and hold it in a state separated from the valve seat. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, even if the manhole pump stops and the inflow of sewage from the inlet ceases, and sewage remains inside the ball-type check valve and in a portion of the piping connected to the downstream side of the ball-type check valve, the ball valve moves and separates from the valve seat when the worker operates the ball valve holding mechanism, causing the remaining sewage to drain and be removed. Therefore, when attempting to remove the ball-type check valve for repair or replacement, there is no risk of residual sewage leaking out, making the work easier to carry out. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the longitudinal cross-section of a manhole pump system equipped with a ball-type check valve. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of the longitudinal section and rear view of a ball-type check valve (first embodiment). [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram of the longitudinal section and rear view of a ball-type check valve (a modified example of the first embodiment). [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of the vertical cross-section and rear view of a ball-type check valve (second embodiment). [Figure 5]It is a schematic configuration diagram of a longitudinal section and a back view of a ball check valve (modified example of the second embodiment). [Figure 6] It is a schematic configuration diagram of a longitudinal section and a back view of a ball check valve (third embodiment). MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0016] [First Embodiment] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking as an example an embodiment in which the ball check valve according to the present invention is applied to a manhole pump device.

[0017] (Manhole pump device) As shown in FIG. 1, the manhole pump device 100 includes: a manhole (not shown) serving as a water storage section for storing sewage W (an example of a fluid) flowing in from an upstream sewage inflow pipe; a manhole pump P for pressure-feeding the sewage W stored in the manhole to a downstream sewage outflow pipe T4; and a water level gauge (not shown) for measuring the water level of the sewage W stored in the manhole.

[0018] To the manhole pump P, a discharge curved pipe T1 fixed to a base T5, a first water rising pipe T2, a second water rising pipe T3, the ball check valve 1, and the sewage outflow pipe T4 are flange-connected in order from the bottom. Further, near the manhole, a control device (not shown) is installed which executes sewage conveyance control for controlling the manhole pump P to pressure-feed the sewage W accumulated in the manhole to the sewage outflow pipe T4. The control device activates the manhole pump P when detecting that the water level measured by the water level gauge reaches a predetermined pump activation water level. The sewage W sucked into the manhole pump P is pressure-fed to the sewage outflow pipe T4 via the discharge curved pipe T1, the first water rising pipe T2, the second water rising pipe T3, and the ball check valve 1. Then, the control device stops the manhole pump P when detecting that the water level reaches a pump stop water level lower than the pump activation water level.

[0019] (Ball check valve) A first embodiment of the ball-type check valve 1 will be described based on Figures 2 and 3. In each figure, the upper section shows the state in which the ball valve holding mechanism 2 is inactive and the ball valve 15 is seated on the valve seat 13 and closing the opening 14, while the lower section shows the state in which the ball valve 15 is held in a position separated from the valve seat 13 by the operator activating the ball valve holding mechanism 2.

[0020] As shown in Figure 2, the ball-type check valve 1 comprises a body 10 and a cover member 17. Inside the body 10 are an inlet 11 and an outlet 12 for wastewater W, a valve seat 13 having an opening 14, and a ball valve 15 that closes the opening 14. In this embodiment, the valve seat 13 and the opening 14 are configured as part of the body 10, but the configuration is not limited to this, and the body 10 and the valve seat 13 may be configured as separate components.

[0021] In this embodiment, a retraction space 16 is formed inside the main body 10 to retract the ball valve 15 diagonally upward from the valve seat 13. The retraction space 16 is formed in a direction that deviates laterally from the piping inside the main body 10.

[0022] When the manhole pump P starts and wastewater W flows in from the inlet 11, the force of the flow causes the ball valve 15 to move away from the valve seat 13 and into the retraction space 16. As a result, the wastewater W that flowed in from the inlet 11 exits the outlet 12 and flows into the wastewater outflow pipe T4. Then, when the manhole pump P stops and the inflow of wastewater W from the inlet 11 stops, the ball valve 15 rolls in the retraction space 16 under its own weight and sits back down on the valve seat 13, blocking the opening 14 and preventing backflow of wastewater W.

[0023] Furthermore, the shape of the retraction space 16 is not limited to this configuration, and any configuration that allows the ball valve 15 to be separated from the valve seat 13 when wastewater W flows in is acceptable. For example, the retraction space 16 may be formed directly above the opening 14 of the valve seat 13.

[0024] In the ball-type check valve 1 of this embodiment, a cover member 17 is detachably provided from the main body 10, and by removing the cover member 17, the ball valve 15 can be replaced or the inside of the main body 10 can be inspected.

[0025] The ball-type check valve 1 includes a ball valve holding mechanism 2 that allows the ball valve 15 to be held in a state separated from the valve seat 13 by external operation when the inflow of fluid from the inlet 11 is stopped.

[0026] The ball valve holding mechanism 2 in this embodiment includes a U-shaped elongated member 20 operated by an operator and a housing section 25 that houses the elongated member 20. The elongated member 20 is supported in the housing section 25 so as to be rotatable around a horizontal axis, and a gripping section 24 for the operator to grasp is provided on the portion that extends outside the housing section 25.

[0027] When the operator rotates the gripping part 24, the elongated member 20 inside the housing part 25 pushes up the ball valve 15. This causes the ball valve 15 to move into the retraction space 16 and be held in a position separated from the valve seat 13.

[0028] As a result, even if the manhole pump P stops and the inflow of sewage from the inlet 11 ceases, and sewage W remains inside the ball-type check valve 1 and in the sewage outlet pipe T4 connected to the downstream side of the ball-type check valve 1, the worker can rotate the ball valve 15 using the grip 24, causing it to move into the retraction space 16 and separate from the valve seat 13, thereby allowing the remaining sewage W to drain and be removed. Therefore, even when attempting to remove the ball-type check valve 1 for repair or replacement of the ball valve 15, there is no risk of residual sewage W leaking out, making the work easier to carry out.

[0029] In this embodiment, the housing section 25 is located below the valve seat 13 and on the side of the retraction space 16. Specifically, the housing section 25 is formed in the second water pumping pipe T3 in a manner that communicates with the pipeline of the second water pumping pipe T3, and is also positioned on the side where the ball valve 15 of the ball-type check valve 1 is retracted in the retraction space 16. This makes it less likely for foreign matter contained in the wastewater W to become entangled in the long member 20 when the manhole pump P is started and wastewater W is discharged.

[0030] In this embodiment, the ball valve holding mechanism 2 is provided separately from the main body 10 of the ball-type check valve 1.

[0031] A modification of the first embodiment described above is, for example, a configuration in which the housing section 25 is located below the valve seat 13 and on the opposite side from the retraction space 16, as shown in Figure 3, while other configurations are the same as in the above embodiment.

[0032] [Second Embodiment] Based on Figures 4 and 5, a second embodiment of the ball-type check valve 1 will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. Points not specifically described are the same as those of the first embodiment. In each figure, the upper section shows the state in which the ball valve holding mechanism 2 is in a non-operating state and the ball valve 15 is seated on the valve seat 13 and closing the opening 14, while the lower section shows the state in which the ball valve 15 is held in a state separated from the valve seat 13 by the operator operating the ball valve holding mechanism 2.

[0033] As shown in Figure 4, the ball valve holding mechanism 2 in this embodiment has a rod-shaped pressing member 21 and a housing section 25 that houses the pressing member 21. The pressing member 21 is supported in the housing section 25 so as to be able to move in and out, and a gripping section 24 is provided on the part that extends outside the housing section 25 for the operator to grasp.

[0034] When the operator presses the gripping portion 24, the tip of the pressing member 21 reaches the ball valve 15 through a through hole (not shown) formed in the main body 10 and presses it from the side. As a result, the ball valve 15 moves to the retraction space 16 and is held in a state separated from the valve seat 13. Note that the pressing direction of the pressing member 21 is not limited to the horizontal direction; it is sufficient to move the ball valve 15 to the retraction space 16, and it may also be configured to press from, for example, an oblique side direction.

[0035] Furthermore, the pressing member 21 is biased by the coil member 22 in the direction of retraction into the housing 25. When the operator releases the gripping part 24, the pressing member 21 automatically moves to the side of the housing 25 and retracts, so that the ball valve 15 rolls through the retraction space 16 by its own weight and sits on the valve seat 13.

[0036] In this embodiment, the housing section 25 is integrally provided on the outer surface of the main body 10 on the side opposite to the side of the retraction space 16. In this embodiment, the ball valve holding mechanism 2 is integrated with the main body 10 of the ball-type check valve 1.

[0037] As a modification of the second embodiment described above, for example, as shown in Figure 5, the housing portion 25 is located slightly lower (towards the second water pumping pipe T3) than in the above embodiment. In this configuration, when an operator presses the gripping portion 24, the tip of the pressing member 21 reaches the ball valve 15 through a through hole (not shown) formed in the main body 10 and pushes it diagonally upward, holding the ball valve 15 in a state separated from the valve seat 13. The other configurations are the same as in the above embodiment.

[0038] [Third Embodiment] Based on Figure 6, a third embodiment of the ball-type check valve 1 will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment described above. Points not specifically described are the same as those of the first embodiment described above. In each figure, the upper row shows the state in which the ball valve holding mechanism 2 is in a non-operating state and the ball valve 15 is seated on the valve seat 13 and closing the opening 14, while the lower row shows the state in which the ball valve 15 is held in a state separated from the valve seat 13 by the operator operating the ball valve holding mechanism 2.

[0039] The ball valve holding mechanism 2 in this embodiment has a wire member 23. One end of the wire member 23 is connected to the ball valve 15, and the other end extends to the outside of the ball-type check valve 1 through a through hole formed in the cover member 17. A gripping portion 24 for the worker to grasp is provided on the portion that extends to the outside of the ball-type check valve 1.

[0040] When the operator pulls the gripping part 24, the ball valve 15 is lifted up by the wire member 23. This moves the ball valve 15 to the retraction space 16 and holds it in a position separated from the valve seat 13. When the operator releases the gripping part 24, the ball valve 15 rolls in the retraction space 16 under its own weight and sits back down on the valve seat 13.

[0041] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the configuration shown in the drawings, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0042] The present invention can be suitably used, for example, in a manhole pump system for transporting wastewater to a sewage treatment plant. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0043] 100: Manhole pump device 1: Ball-type check valve 10: Main unit 11:Inlet 12: Outlet 13: Alveolar 14:Aperture 15: Ball valve 16: Evacuation space 17: Lid component 2: Ball valve retaining mechanism 20: Long components 21: Pressing member 22: Coil component 23: Wire component 24: Grip part 25: Detention Unit P: Manhole pump T1: Discharge bend T2: First pumping pipe T3: Second pumping pipe T4: Sewage outlet pipe T5: Base W: Wastewater (an example of a fluid)

Claims

1. Fluid inlet and outlet, A valve seat having an opening, It comprises a ball valve that closes the opening, In a ball-type check valve, when fluid flows in from the inlet, the ball valve separates from the valve seat and the fluid flows to the outlet, and when the inflow of fluid from the inlet stops, the ball valve seats on the valve seat and closes the opening, A ball-type check valve comprising a ball valve holding mechanism that allows the ball valve to be held in a state separated from the valve seat by external operation when the inflow of fluid from the inlet is stopped.

2. The ball-type check valve according to claim 1, wherein the ball valve holding mechanism comprises a rotatably supported elongated member, and the elongated member pushes up the ball valve and holds it in a state separated from the valve seat.

3. A retraction space for moving the ball valve diagonally upward from the valve seat, It has a housing section for housing the aforementioned elongated member, The ball-type check valve according to claim 2, wherein the housing portion is located below the valve seat and on the side of the retraction space.

4. The ball valve holding mechanism comprises a pressing member, wherein the pressing member presses the ball valve from the side and holds it in a state separated from the valve seat, as described in claim 1.

5. The ball-type check valve according to claim 1, wherein the ball valve holding mechanism includes a wire member, and the wire member lifts the ball valve and holds it in a state separated from the valve seat.

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