Check Valve with Ventilation Device

Abstract

A check valve comprising, between an inlet end and an opposite outlet end along a common longitudinal axis, optionally an adapter arranged between the inlet end and a seal seat, a seal seat formed by a rigid scaffold, a closure element formed by an elastic closure part, optionally a stop ball, and optionally a stop that can be latched to the scaffold, wherein the scaffold and the closure part are shaped to match one another in the region of the seal seat, and the closure part is tensioned against the scaffold in the region of the seal seat in the rest position and is retained therein, wherein the scaffold has breaches in the region of the seal seat, and the closure element is formed in one piece with a venting device

Claims

1. A check valve comprising between an inlet end and an opposite outlet end along a common longitudinal axis in the following order; a seal seat formed by a rigid scaffold; and a closure element formed by an elastic closure part, wherein the scaffold and the closure part in a region of the seal seat are shaped to match one another tapering in a funnel-shaped manner in the direction toward the inlet end and the closure part in a rest position of the check valve in the region of the seal seat is tensioned against the scaffold and held therein, wherein the scaffold comprises breaches in the region of the seal seat, and the closure element is formed in one piece with a venting device, wherein the venting device is configured such that the closure part sectionally projects with a venting section through an opening of the scaffold and has a passage in a direction toward the inlet end at a spacing from the scaffold.

2. The check valve according to claim 1, wherein the closure part is held on the scaffold such that it rests on the scaffold and is clamped thereto by an undercut formed next to a bead in the region projecting through the opening of the scaffold.

3. The check valve according to claim 1, wherein the passage is formed by a non-return closure.

4. The check valve according to claim 1, wherein the closure part is configured to open already at a pressure corresponding to a filling level of liquid at the inlet end of the check valve, at which filling level the venting section of the closure part sectionally projects beyond the filling level.

5. The check valve according to claim 1, comprising an elastic adapter having a first end and a second end lying opposite along the common longitudinal axis, wherein the adapter is arranged with its first end adjacent to the inlet end of the check valve and with its second end adjacent to the scaffold.

6. The check valve according to claim 5, wherein the adapter, starting from its first end, comprises a first section of larger inner cross-section and, adjacent thereto, a second section of smaller inner cross-section, wherein a circumferential bearing surface is arranged between the first and second sections and extends transversely to the common longitudinal axis.

7. The check valve according to claim 6, wherein one of the adapter in its second section comprises a circumferential groove that divides the adaptor into an inner section and an outer section whose ends are movable relative to each other.

8. The check valve according to claim 1, wherein the scaffold comprises contact webs on a first side which extend over a portion of the thickness of the scaffold.

9. The check valve according to claim 1, wherein the scaffold is configured as a closure in an outer section of its cross-section.

10. The check valve according to claim 1, comprising, between the closure part and the outlet end, a stop configured to be latched to the scaffold and a closure piece arranged between the stop and the closure part, wherein the stop comprises an opening in the center of its cross-section and is adapted to hold the closure piece and to allow liquid to flow through in the direction toward the outlet end in a normal position of the check valve, and wherein the closure piece has a diameter which is larger than the opening and smaller than the diameter of the stop, and the closure piece is configured to allow venting through the venting device in the normal position of the check valve and to close the venting device in an overhead position of the check valve.

11. The check valve according to claim 1, consisting of an adapter, the scaffold, the closure part, a closure piece, and a stop.

12. The check valve according to claim 1, comprising a tube connected with its first end to the venting section, the tube extending through the closure part with its second end opposite the first end comprises a passive element, and a kink of the tube between its first end and the passive element.

13. The check valve according to claim 12, wherein the kink is located in a plane of a terminal cross-sectional opening of the closure part opposite the venting section.

14. The check valve according to claim 12, wherein the passive element comprises a float or a weight with a density higher than water.

15. A separation toilet comprising a check valve according to claim 1.

16. The check valve according to claim 9, wherein the closure comprises an internally formed screw thread.

Description

[0041] Short description of the figures: The figures show in

[0042] FIG. 1 a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the check valve,

[0043] FIG. 2 a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in exploded view,

[0044] FIG. 3 a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the check valve,

[0045] FIG. 4 a cross-sectional exploded view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3,

[0046] FIG. 5 a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the check valve,

[0047] FIG. 6 a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 in exploded view and in

[0048] FIG. 7 an embodiment of the check valve.

[0049] In the figures, identical reference numerals denote functionally identical elements.

[0050] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the check valve 1 with an inlet end 2 and an outlet end 3 lying opposite along the common longitudinal axis, wherein the direction from the inlet end 2 to the outlet end 3 is the passage direction 4 and the opposite direction is the blocking direction 5. In the passage direction 4, an adapter 31, a scaffold 11 and a closure part 21 are arranged successively along a common longitudinal axis, wherein, in the rest position of the check valve 1, the scaffold 11 is contacted on a first side 18 by the adapter 31 and is contacted on a second side 19 by the closure part 21.

[0051] In the center of its cross-section, the scaffold 11 arranged between the adapter 31 and the closure part 21 has an opening 16 through which a venting section 24 projects, which is integrally formed with the closure part 21. Therein, the closure part 21 forms the closure element and the venting section 24 forms the venting device of the check valve 1. The closure part 21 is held in the opening 16 in that it is arranged with a region of smallest outer cross-section 28 in the opening 16, and in that it has a bead 26 in the direction toward the inlet end 2, next to which an undercut is formed, the bead 26 having a larger outer cross-section than the cross-section of the opening 16. According to FIG. 1, the inner cross-section of the closure part 21 is substantially constant in the region of the venting section and tapers only in the direction towards the outlet end 2 in the region of the passage 25. At its opposite end facing the outlet end 3, the closure part 21 has a protrusion 27 with which it abuts against the scaffold 11 and seals the check valve 1 in the blocking direction.

[0052] The second section 35 of the adapter 31 sectionally is divided into an inner section 38 and an outer section 39 by means of a circumferential groove 37, wherein the spacing along the common longitudinal axis between a first end 32 and a second end 33 of the adapter 31 is greater in the outer section 39 than in the inner section 38. As a result, the adapter 31 is adapted to contact and seal the scaffold 11 with its second end 33 in both the inner section 38 and the outer section 39.

[0053] In FIG. 2, the components of the check valve 1 are shown in detail. The scaffold 11 is funnel- or cone-shaped in an inner section 12 and has breaches 14 that taper toward the central opening 16 and form braces 15 between them. Due to the braces 15, the inner section 12 is deflection resistant.

[0054] In its outer section 13, the scaffold is shaped as a screw cap with an internal thread.

[0055] In the area of its breaches 14, the scaffold has contact webs 17 which each extend only over a section of the cross-section of the breaches 14, namely only over part of the thickness, i.e. the distance between the first side 18 and the second side 19 of the scaffold. In the embodiment shown here, the contact webs extend from the plane of the first side 18 over about half the thickness of the scaffold 11. In the region of the second side 19 of the scaffold, the breaches 14 therefore have a larger cross-section than in the region of the first side 18. The transition between the smaller and larger cross-section of the breaches 14 can, as shown here, run in parallel to the first and second sides 18, 19, respectively, or can e.g. be beveled.

[0056] In a funnel section 29, the closure part 21 has a shape that matches the second side 19 of the scaffold 11 and, according to FIG. 2, terminates at the second end 23 of the closure part 21 with a protrusion 27. In the direction from the second end 23 towards the first end 22, the outer cross-section of the closure part 21 initially tapers conically to a region of smallest cross-section 28 and then widens to form a bead 26 whose outer cross-section is larger than the cross-section of the opening 16 and may e.g. thereafter taper again towards the first end 22. The inner cross-section of the closure part 21 tapers from the second end 23 to the first end 22, initially in a funnel shape in the region of the funnel section 29, and then extends in the region of the venting section 24 with a substantially constant inner cross-section, as shown here as an option, before the inner cross-section tapers to the passage 25.

[0057] The funnel section 29 is integrally formed with the venting section 24, so that the closure part 21 at the same time acts as a venting device.

[0058] The adapter 31 is divided, starting from its first end 32 toward its second end 33, into a first section 34 and a second section 35. The second section 35 has a smaller inner cross-section than the first section 34, the outer cross-section of the adapter being substantially constant. A bearing surface 36 is disposed between the first and second sections 34, 35 and runs in parallel to the cross-sectional plane of the adapter 31. In its second section 35, the adapter 31 is divided by a circumferential groove 37 into an inner section 38 and an outer section 39, which form an inner and outer ring, respectively, at the second end 33 of the adapter. As preferred, the adapter 31 is configured to contact and seal the scaffold 11 with both the inner ring and the outer ring in the region of the contact webs 17.

[0059] In the rest position of the check valve 1, the adapter 31 rests with its second end 33 against the first side 18 of the scaffold 11, and the closure piece 21 rests against the second side 19 of the scaffold 11 at least in the region of the protrusion 27, the venting section 24 projecting at least sectionally through the opening 16 of the scaffold 11. When a fluid is applied to the inlet end 2 of the check valve 1, the weight of the fluid exerts a pressure on the funnel section 29 of the closure part 21 in a direction away from the scaffold 11. As a result, the funnel section 29 flips away from the scaffold 11 and allows the liquid to flow through the breaches 14 in the passage direction 4. Slippage of the closure part 21 out of the opening 16 of the scaffold 11 is prevented by the bead 26. When an overpressure is built up in a downstream container by the inflowing liquid, air simultaneously flows through the venting section 24 and the passage 25 in the opposite direction, which is the blocking direction 5 of the check valve 1. After the liquid flows through, the funnel section 27 flips back toward the scaffold 11 and contacts it.

[0060] If the check valve 1 or a toilet containing the check valve 1 is rotated, e.g. into an overhead position, the liquid in the downstream container exerts a pressure on the closure part 21 in the blocking direction 5 by virtue of its weight. As a result, the closure part 21 is pressed against the scaffold 11 in the region of its funnel section 29 and seals off its inner section 12 so that no liquid can pass through. No liquid can escape through the passage 25 either, as this is impermeable to liquids. In the outer section 13, the scaffold closes the container by means of a screw cap so that no liquid can escape here either.

[0061] In the embodiment of the check valve 1 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a scaffold 11, a closure part 21, a stop ball as a closure piece 47, and a stop 41 are arranged adjacent to each other along a common longitudinal axis between the inlet end 2 and the outlet end 3.

[0062] The stop 41 has a ball seat as an opening 44 in the center of its cross-section and several breaches 45 in its funnel-shaped section 42, which form braces 46 between them. The braces 46 make the funnel-shaped section 42 deflection resistant. The breaches 45 extend into the outer section 43 of the stop 41, which is formed transversely to the common longitudinal axis, so that in the position in which the closure part 21 is folded away from the scaffold 11 and rests against the stop 41, the breaches 45 are still partially accessible and fluid can flow through them. A stop ball is arranged in the opening 44 as a closure piece 47, which stop ball is spaced from the closure part 21 in the normal or rest position of the check valve 1 shown here. The scaffold 11 has a circumferential edge 48 which extends in the direction toward the outlet end 3.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 3, the stop 41 in its funnel-shaped section 42 has a smaller opening angle than the opening angle in the inner section 12 of the scaffold 11.

[0064] FIG. 4 shows a projection 49 by means of which the stop 41 can be latched to the scaffold 11. Therein, the projection 49 engages in opposite matching recesses in the wall of the scaffold 11. In FIG. 3, the stop 41 is fixed to the scaffold 11 so that the edge 48 contacts the stop 41.

[0065] When a liquid is applied to the inlet end 2 of the check valve 1, the weight of the liquid exerts a pressure on the funnel section 29 of the closure part 21 in a direction away from the scaffold 11. As a result, the funnel section 29 flips away from the scaffold 11 to the stop 41 and allows the fluid to flow through the breaches 14, 45 toward the outlet end 3. Slippage of the closure part 21 out of the opening 16 of the scaffold 11 is prevented by the undercut formed adjacent the bead 26 with which the closure part rests on the scaffold 11. However, even if the closure part 21 were to slip partially out of the scaffold 11, it would only slip out until it meets the stop ball as the closure part 47, with the vent portion 24 continuing to protrude through the opening 16.

[0066] If an overpressure is built up in a downstream container by the inflowing liquid, air flows through the venting section 24 in the opposite direction. After the liquid has flowed through, the funnel section 29 flips back toward the scaffold 11 and contacts it.

[0067] When the check valve 1 is rotated into an overhead position, the closure piece 47, which is formed as a stop ball, is moved by its gravity out of the opening 44 toward the closure part 21 and closes its venting section 24 so that no fluid can pass through it toward the inlet end 2.

[0068] In the embodiment of the check valve 1 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a scaffold 11, a closure part 21, a closure piece 47, and a stop 41 are arranged in sequence along a common longitudinal axis between the inlet end 2 and the outlet end 3.

[0069] The stop 41 has an opening 44 in the center of its cross-section and recesses adjacent thereto, each extending crenellated radially in the wall of the stop 41. The stop 41 is formed in an outer region 43 in parallel to the common longitudinal axis and has a circumferential recess in which a circumferential projection 49 formed in the edge 48 of the scaffold 11 engages. In FIG. 5, the stop 41 is latched to the scaffold 11, wherein the edge 48 contacts the stop 41.

[0070] The closure piece 47 is formed as a curved plate, the diameter of which is larger than the diameter of the opening 44, but smaller than the diameter of the stop 41. In the circumferential outer edge of the closure piece 47, recesses are arranged in a crenellated manner, so that in the normal position of the check valve 1, fluid can flow through the crenellated recesses in the closure piece 47 and stop 41 towards the outlet end 3. The closure part 21 folded away from the scaffold 11 may contact the closure piece 47, or may be spaced from the closure piece by its protrusion 29.

[0071] When the check valve 1 is rotated to an overhead position, the closure piece 47, which is designed as a ball section, is moved by its gravitational force towards the closure part 21 and contacts the latter, e.g. in the area of the protrusion 29, so that the venting section 24 is closed so that no liquid can flow through it toward the inlet end 2.

[0072] FIG. 7 shows a tube 50 extending through the closure part 21 and the scaffold 11. The first end 51 of the tube 50 is fixed in the venting section 24 by clamping, and its opposite second end 52 extends beyond the closure part 21 in the unloaded condition. The tube 50 has a kink 53, which is preferably located in the region of the plane of the terminal cross-sectional opening 210 of the closure part 21 or outside the closure part 21. A passive element 54 is attached to the second end 52 of the tube 50, which passive element 54, in the embodiment as a float, floats when loaded by liquid and pivots the second end 52 of the tube 50 about the kink 53 and reduces, preferably closes, the inner cross-section thereof. The tube 50 with the float as passive element 54 therefore acts in the kink 53 as a closure piece for the venting section 24 as the liquid level rises below the closure part 21.

[0073] Alternatively, the passive element 54 may be a weight of higher density than water, so that a pivoting of the tube 50 from the vertical, such as when the check valve is tilted, reduces the inner cross-section in the kink 53.

TABLE-US-00001 Reference numerals:  1 check valve  2 inlet end  3 outlet end  4 passage direction  5 blocking direction 11 scaffold 12 inner section 13 outer section 14 breach 15 brace 16 opening 17 contact web 18 first side 19 second side 21 closure part 21o terminal cross-sectional opening 22 first end 23 second end 24 venting section 25 passage 26 bead 27 protrusion 28 region of smallest outer cross-section 29 funnel section 31 adapter 32 first end 33 second end 34 first section 35 second section 36 bearing surface 37 groove 38 inner section 39 outer section 41 stop 42 funnel-shaped section 43 outer section 44 opening 45 breach 46 brace 47 closure piece 48 edge 49 projection 50 tube 51 first end of the tube 52 second end of the tube 53 kink 54 passive element