VALVES

Abstract

A valve (50), which is particularly suitable for SCUBA apparatus, comprises a main body (52) with a sliding plug (58) in a bore (54) of the main body (52). The valve (50) has first (60) and second ports (62) in fluid communication with the bore (54). The plug (58) has first (64), second (66) and third plug portions (68). A set of seals (76, 78, 82) between the plug (58) and bore (54) separate the plug portions (76, 78, 82) from one another. The third plug portion (68), which is interposed between, and which has a smaller cross-sectional area than, the first (64) or second (66) plug portions, forms a fluid passageway (70) between the plug (58) and the bore (54) of the main body (52). The valve (50) comprises a rack (88) and pinion (90) for axially displacing the plug (58) by rotation of the pinion (90), such that the fluid passageway (70) can be moved so as to align with any one or more ports (60, 62). Further ports (94) and plug positions are also possible, and a valve position indicator (124) may be provided.

Claims

1. A valve comprising: a main body comprising: a bore having an axis, a first port in fluid communication with the bore and a second port in fluid communication with the bore, a plug slidingly receivable within the bore comprising: a first plug portion slidingly receivable within the bore; a second plug portion slidingly receivable within the bore; and a third plug portion interposed between the first and second plug portions, the third plug portion having a smaller cross-sectional area than the first or second plug portions, and forming, when inserted in the bore, a fluid passageway between an exterior surface of the third plug portion and an interior surface of the bore, first and second axially spaced-apart seals forming respective seals between the exterior surface of the first plug portion and the interior surface of the bore; a third seal forming a seal between the exterior surface of the second plug portion and the interior surface of the bore, wherein: the first and second ports are axially offset such that: when the plug is in a first position, the first port is located at a position between the first and second seals, and the second port is located a position between the second and third seals; but when the plug is in a second position, the first and second ports are located at a position between the second and third seals; wherein the valve further comprises: a rack operatively connected to the plug, and a pinion gear arranged to mesh with the rack, whereby rotation of the pinion gear causes the plug to move between the first and second positions.

2. The valve of claim 1, wherein when the plug is in the second position, the fluid passageway interconnects the first and second ports.

3. The valve of claim 1, wherein the first port comprises an inlet and the second port comprises an outlet.

4. The valve of claim 1, wherein the first port comprises an outlet and the second port comprises an inlet.

5. The valve of claim 1, wherein: the main body comprises a third port in fluid communication with the bore; the second plug portion comprises a fourth seal forming a seal between the exterior surface of the second plug portion and the interior surface of the bore; and the first, second and third ports are axially offset relative to one another such that: when the plug is in the first position, the first port is located at a position between the first and second seals, and the second and third ports are located at positions between the second and third seals; but when the plug is in the second position, the first and second ports are located at a position between the second and third seals, and the third port is located at a position between the third and fourth seals.

6. The valve of claim 5, wherein when the plug is in the first position, the fluid passageway interconnects the second and third ports, but when the valve in the second position, the fluid passageway interconnects the first and second ports.

7. The valve of claim 5, wherein the third port comprises an inlet or an outlet.

8. The valve of any claim 1, wherein rotation of the pinion gear through substantially ninety degrees causes the plug to move between the first and second positions.

9. The valve of claim 1, wherein the plug comprises a respective radial groove for receiving each of the said seals, which are O-ring seals.

10. The valve of claim 9, wherein the planes of the respective radial grooves are arranged perpendicularly to the axis of the bore.

11. The valve of claim 1, wherein any two or more of the ports are radially offset relative to one another by substantially ninety degrees.

12. The valve of claim 1, wherein the bore is substantially cylindrical, and wherein third plug portion is substantially cylindrical such that the fluid passageway is substantially annular-prism-shaped.

13. The valve of claim 1, further comprising means for indicating the position of the plug.

14. The valve of claim 13, wherein the means for indicating comprises an axial extension of the plug arranged to protrude through an aperture of the main body when the plug is in one of the first and second positions, and to retract within the main body when the plug is in the other of the first and second positons.

15. The valve of claim 13, wherein the means for indicating comprises a magnetic reed switch disposed within the plug, and a magnet disposed with in the main body, a circuit and an indicator light, wherein the circuit is adapted to illuminate the indicator light when the reed switch is in a first position relative to the magnet, and to extinguish the indicator light when the reed switch is in a second position relative to the magnet.

16. The valve of claim 15, wherein the circuit comprises a battery, and wherein the indicator light comprises an LED.

17. The valve of claim 16, wherein the LED comprises a high intensity, wide-angle, red-coloured LED.

18. The valve of claim 13, wherein the circuit is adapted to illuminate the indicator light intermittently when the reed switch is in the first position relative to the magnet.

19. The valve of claim 13, wherein the means for indicating is waterproof.

20. A SCUBA diving diverter valve according to claim 7, when dependent on claim 3, wherein the second port comprises an outlet operatively connectable directly to a regulator, wherein the first port comprises an inlet operatively connectable to a primary air hose that interconnects, in use, the first port to a primary breathable air cylinder, and wherein the third port comprises an inlet operatively connectable to a reserve air hose that interconnects, in use, the third port to a reserve breathable air cylinder.

Description

[0034] Embodiments of the invention shall now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0035] FIGS. 1 and 2 are simplified, schematic diagrams of a known SCUBA diving apparatus incorporating a diverter valve;

[0036] FIG. 3 is a simplified schematic diagram of a SCUBA diving apparatus incorporating a diverter valve in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0037] FIGS. 4 and 5 are schematic views showing the internal configuration of an on/off valve embodiment of a valve in accordance with the invention in the invention;

[0038] FIGS. 6 and 7 are schematic views showing the internal configuration of a diverter valve embodiment of a valve in accordance with the invention in the invention;

[0039] FIGS. 8 and 9 are perspective views of a diverter valve embodiment of the invention;

[0040] FIG. 10 is a side view of FIG. 8 viewed along direction X of FIG. 8;

[0041] FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the diverter valve of FIGS. 8 and 9, along XI-XI of FIG. 10;

[0042] FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the diverter valve of FIGS. 8 and 9, along XII-XII of FIG. 10; and

[0043] FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the diverter valve of FIGS. 8 and 9, along XIII-XIII of FIG. 10.

[0044] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a known SCUBA diving apparatus 10 comprises face mask 12 having an integral breathing regulator 14. The regulator 14 connects to either a primary air supply cylinder 16, or to a reserve air supply cylinder 18 via diverter valve 20. A primary air hose 22 connects the primary air supply cylinder 16 to a first inlet 24 of the diverter valve 20, and a secondary air hose 26 connects the reserve air supply cylinder 18 to a second inlet 28 of the diverter valve 20. An umbilical air hose 30 connects an outlet 32 of the diverter valve 20 to an inlet 34 of the regulator 14. A diver (not shown) can breathe air from the primary air cylinder 16 when the diverter valve 20 is in the first position, as shown in FIG. 1, or he/she can switch to breathing from the reserve air cylinder 18 by moving the diverter valve position as shown in FIG. 2. The known arrangement of FIGS. 1 and 2 has a chest-mounted diverter valve 20, and three air hoses, each with respective connections at either end.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 3 of the drawings now, a simplified arrangement is provided by an embodiment of the invention. Identical features to those described previously have been called-out using identical reference signs, to avoid repetition herein. In FIG. 3, the diverter valve 40 is much more compact, and has an outlet that can be connected directly to the regulator 14. This configuration obviates the need for the umbilical air hose 30, and reduces the number of connections required. Thus, the SCUBA apparatus has been rationalised and rendered inherently more reliable by reducing the number of potential failure points. Also, by moving the diverter valve 40 to the side of the face mask 12, the diver (not shown) no longer needs to wear a chest harness to carry the known diverter valve 20.

[0046] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, an embodiment of a valve 50 in accordance with the invention comprises a main body 52 formed, for example, from a block of stainless steel. The main body has a bore 54 machined into it (along a bore axis 56), which forms a cylindrical cavity for slidingly receiving a plug 58. The valve 50 has a first port 60, which is in fluid communication with the bore 54 and a second port 62, also in fluid communication with the bore 54.

[0047] The plug 58 is a unitary component, but has three main parts, namely, a lower (in the illustrated embodiment) first plug portion 64, an upper (in the illustrated embodiment) second plug portion 66; and a third plug portion 68 interposed between the first 64 and second 66 plug portions. The third plug portion 68 has a smaller cross-sectional area than the first 64 or second 66 plug portions, and this is accomplished by turning down a narrower waist portion in the plug 58 in the region of the third plug portion 68.

[0048] This configuration forms, when the plug 58 is inserted in the bore 54, a fluid passageway 70 between an exterior surface 72 of the third plug portion 68 and an interior surface 74 of the bore 54.

[0049] The valve 50 has first 76 and second 78 axially spaced-apart seals forming respective seals between the exterior surface 80 of the first plug portion 64 and the interior surface 74 of the bore 54. The valve 50 also has a third seal 82 forming a seal between the exterior surface 84 of the second plug portion 66 and the interior surface 74 of the bore 54.

[0050] It will be noted in FIGS. 4 and 5 that the first 60 and second 62 ports are axially offset 86 such that when the plug 58 is in a first position (as shown in FIG. 4), the first port 60 is located at a position between the first 76 and second 78 seals, and such the second port 62 is located a position between the second 78 and third 82 seals. In this position, the valve is in an off position because the inlet 60 is closed-off by the first 76 and second 78 seals, and the second port 62 is also closed-off by the second 78 and third 82 seals. The first 60 and second 62 ports are effectively isolated from one another by the second seal 78.

[0051] As can be seen, the valve 50 further comprises a rack 88 formed as an extension of the plug 58, and this has teeth (not shown), which engage with the teeth (not shown) of a pinion gear 90. Rotation of the pinion gear 90 causes the plug 58 to move between a first position (as shown in FIG. 4) and a second position (as shown in FIG. 5).

[0052] Thus, when the plug 58 is moved to the second positon (as shown in FIG. 4), both the first 60 and second 62 ports are located between the second 78 and third 82 seals. When in this position, the valve 50 is on, because fluid can flow in via the first port 60, through the fluid passageway 70 (as shown by arrows 92) and out via the second port 62, or vice-versa.

[0053] Turning now to FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawings, a diverter valve embodiment of a valve 51 in accordance with the invention is substantially as described above in relation to FIGS. 4 and 5, but with the addition of a third port 94 and a fourth seal 96. Here, the third port 94 is also in fluid communication with the bore 54 and the fourth seal 96 forms a seal between the exterior surface 84 of the second plug portion 66 and the interior surface 74 of the bore 54.

[0054] As can be seen, the first 60, second 62 and third 94 ports are axially offset relative to one another such that when the plug is in the first position (as shown in FIG. 6), the first port 60 is located at a position between the first 76 and second 78 seals, and the second 62 and third ports 94 are located at positions between the second 78 and third 82 seals. Thus, fluid can flow between the third port 94 and the second port 62 (or vice-versa) when the valve 51 is in the first position.

[0055] However, when the pinion 90 is rotated so as to move the plug 58 to the second position (as shown in FIG. 7), the first 60 and second 62 ports are located at a position between the second 78 and third 82 seals, whereas the third port 94 is now located at a position between the third 82 and fourth 96 seals. Thus, fluid can flow now between the first port 60 and the second port 62 (or vice-versa) when the valve 51 is in the second position. The valve, can, of course, be reverted to the first state upon reverse-rotation of the pinion 90.

[0056] Turning now to an actual embodiment of a diverter valve 51 in accordance with the invention, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 13 of the drawings, in which identical features to those described previously have been called-out using identical reference signs, to avoid repetition herein below:

[0057] The diverter valve 51 has a main body 52 formed from a forged, then machined, single block of stainless steel. The main body 52 has a pair of integrally formed inlet spigots 60, 94, to which can be connected, in use (but not shown) primary 22 and reserve 26 air hoses respectively. The main body also has an integrally formed outlet spigot (not visible) to which is affixed a screw-fitting for connecting the outlet 62 directly to the inlet of a regulator 14.

[0058] The plug 58 has an integrally formed extension 100, which, when the valve 51 is set to the first position, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 14, i.e. with the reserve air supply 18 connected to the regulator 14, the extension is visible through an aperture 102 in the top face 104 of the main body 52. The pinion gear 90 is connected to a knob 106, which is accessible to a user from the outside of the main body 52.

[0059] As can be seen in FIG. 12 of the drawings in particular, the knob 106 has an internal blind hole 108, which carries a spring 110, which urges a ball bearing 112 into engagement with one of several apertures 114 in the main body. The ball bearing 114, spring 110 and apertures 114 together from a detent, which enables the knob 106 to be positively clicked into one of several possible positions, in this case, the first and second positions. This reduces the likelihood if inadvertent switching of the valve 51 position.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 13 of the drawings now, which is a cross-section of FIG. 10 on XIII-XIII, it can be seen that the main body 52 is formed as a unitary component, in this embodiment, by forging or casting the rough shape of the main body 52, and then subsequent machining/drilling operations. In particular, the bore 54 is formed by drilling a through aperture vertically (in FIG. 13) through the main body, to form a cylindrical cavity for receiving the plug 58. The plug 58 has a generally cylindrical form, such that is it slidingly receivable within the bore 54.

[0061] The outer surface of the plug 58 has been turned-down in a central portion to form the third plug portion 68, i.e. having a narrower external diameter than the majority of the remainder of the plug 58. When the plug 58 is inserted in the bore 54, it can be seen that the narrow portion of the plug 58 forming the third portion 68, an annular prismatic cavity 70 is thus formed, which provides the fluid passageway for the flow of fluids through the valve 51.

[0062] The first 64 and third 66 plug portions are respectively located below and above (in FIG. 13) the third plug portion, as previously described. In the illustrated embodiment, the first plug portion 64 is also turned-down to form a second annular prismatic cavity 71 between the interior surface 74 of the bore 54 and the first plug portion 64.

[0063] Channels 120 for receiving the first, 76, second 78, third 82 and fourth 96 O-ring seals are turned-down into the plug 58, and so the O-ring seals 76, 78, 82, 96 are seated against the interior surface 74 of the bore 54. Sliding of the plug 58 relative to the bore 54 is thus possible, whilst maintaining a reliable seal.

[0064] The plug 58 also has an axial through bore 122, which receives an indicator circuit comprising a high-intensity, red LED 124, which protrudes through an aperture 126 in the top of the plug 58. A seal is formed between the LED 124 and the aperture 126 using an O-ring seal 128. The indicator circuit also comprises a slender PCB 130, which fits inside the bore 122 of the plug 58, the PCB 130 has a position sensor, such as a magnetic reed switch, a mechanical micro-switch etc. (not visible), which detects the positon of the valve 51 as previously described. The indicator circuit also comprises a battery 132, which is also encapsulated within the bore 122 of the plug 58. An end cap 134 sealingly (by way of a further O-ring seal 136) and screw-threadedly closes-off the lower end of the bore 122, thus sealingly enclosing the indicator. The end cap 134 has a tool-engagement feature (such as a screwdriver slot) 138, which is accessible via the open bottom end 140 of the main body's bore 54, so that the end cap 134 can be unscrewed, and replaced, at intervals, for example for servicing, battery replacement etc. of the indicator.

[0065] An ear portion 142 is formed integrally with the main body 52, and this has a through bore for receiving an axle 146 for the pinion gear 90, which is held in-situ using a circlip 148 (as can be seen in FIG. 9). The detent-receiving apertures 114 previously described are also drilled-through the ear portion 142 and also serve as lightening holes. The rack 88, which engages the pinion gear 90 is machined into the outer surface of the second plug portion 66.

[0066] The two inlets 60, 94 are formed as through holes in spigots 601, 941 that are formed integrally with the main body 52 of the valve 51. An integrally-formed outlet spigot (not visible in FIG. 13) is also provided, which extends out from the main body 52 at ninety-degrees to the inlet spigots 601, 941.

[0067] The invention is not necessarily restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiments, which are merely exemplary of embodiments of the invention. For example, any materials, manufacturing methods, dimensions and uses (whether explicit or implicit) are exemplary of the embodiments described herein, and are not necessarily restrictive of the scope of this disclosure, which is determined by the appended claims. Further, any references to orientation (e.g., upper, lower, vertical, horizontal, etc.) are intended to help describe the invention with reference to the drawings, but it will be appreciated that the invention could be used in any orientation and that such references to orientations used herein are merely a convenient shorthand.