WO2010091474A1

WO2010091474A1 - Full flow valve

Info

Publication number: WO2010091474A1
Application number: PCT/AU2010/000154
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fiona Williams; Allan Meyer; Arthur Paul David Owen
Original assignee: Avantech Holdings Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2009-02-13
Filing date: 2010-02-12
Publication date: 2010-08-19
Also published as: AU2010213364A1

Abstract

The present invention provides a one way flow valve (10) having a valve body (11) which includes a valve seat (16), a valve member (12) which includes a seal (17) to engage said valve seat when said valve is in a closed condition and a releasable detent means (20) which can hold said valve member (12) in said closed condition until the application of a required level of pressure from an upstream side of said valve (10).

Description

FULL FLOW VALVE

Field of the invention

[001] The present invention relates to flow valves for use in water systems.

Background of the invention

[002] The fluid delivery and plumbing systems that provide water to domestic homes and office buildings currently make use of pumps to maintain adequate water pressure within the system during use. This is because of the pressure losses in the system caused by the many valve pressure forces that must be overcome to allow the valves within the home to be opened and for fluid flow to occur.

[003] There are normally numerous valve types contained within the home or office that require a fluid pressure greater than the valve pressure in order to be opened, some examples being: non-return valves, check valves, back flow valves, and many more. This difference in pressure is termed as the "differential pressure" and the greater this differential pressure is, the more energy that will be required to run the pumps and maintain the overall pressure in the system.

[004] The problems with current check, or non-return valves is that they require a high differential pressure to open and often this differential pressure must be maintained during use of the valve. The through-flow is also often restricted within the valve due to the room required by the different sealing mechanisms.

[005] Any reference herein to known prior art does not, unless the contrary indication appears, constitute an admission that such prior art is commonly known by those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, at the priority date of this application.

Summary of the invention

[006] The present invention provides a one way flow valve having a valve body which includes a valve seat and or a seal, a valve member which includes a seal to engage said valve seat and or said seal when said valve is in a closed condition and a releasable locking means which can hold said valve member in said closed condition until the application of a predetermined force from pressure on an upstream side of said valve member

[007] The valve member can be hingedly connected to said valve body. [008] The valve can include a bias means to provide bias to move said valve member to a closed position.

[009] ^ The bias means can be positioned such that the moment force of the bias produced by said bias means about hinged connection will be less at the valve opened position when compared to the valve closed position

[010] In a fully opened condition, said valve member can have little or no moments applied to a hinge connecting said valve member to said valve body;

[011] The seat and said seal can exert on each other a radial force when said valve member is in said closed condition.

[012] The valve member and said valve seat are concentric with said valve body.

[013] The bias means can cooperate with a deflector means which covers said bias means when said valve is in an open condition.

[014] The bias means can be a spring, such as a tension spring or a bow spring, or a leaf spring.

[015] The valve member can be hingedly connected by means of a hinge, which can be integrally formed with the valve member, or attached thereto.

[016] . The deflector means can be integrally formed with the valve body

[017] The valve member can be formed having a curved construction, so that one side is convex and another side is concave, allowing the convex side to lay adjacent to a pipe internal wall when in use.

[018] The valve member and the valve body can be hinged together by a hinge having sufficient elasticity to bias the valve member to the closed condition relative to the body.

[019] The valve body and valve member can each have hinge receiving apertures to receive a hinge pin.

[020] A torsion or rotational spring can be assembled to cooperate with the valve body and the valve member, by and or around the hinge pin.

[021] The releasable locking means can include a stationary or non-deformable detent on the valve body to cooperate with a moveable or deformable protrusion on the valve member, or alternatively the releasable locking means can include a moveable or deformable detent on the valve body to cooperate with a portion of the valve member which does not move or deform relative to the rest of the valve member; or alternatively the releasable locking means can include a moveable or deformable detent on the valve body to cooperate with a portion of the valve member which also moves or deforms relative the rest of the valve member.

[022] The bias means or spring, if present can provide sufficient force to move the valve member to a locked condition.

[023] The valve components can be constructed and arranged so that the valve will be closed before the releasable locking means holds said valve member in the closed condition.

[024] The releasable locking means can release the valve member before the seal on the valve member has broken contact with the seat or seal on the valve body.

[025] The present invention also provides a one way flow valve having a valve body which includes a valve seat and or a seal, a valve member which includes a seal to engage said valve seat and or said seal when said valve is in a closed condition and wherein said seat or said seal on said body and said seal on said valve member exert on each other a radial force when said valve member is in said closed condition and when an upstream pressure is applied to said seat or said seal on said body and said seal on said valve member.

[026] The valve member can be hingedly connected to the valve body.

[027] The valve can include a bias means to provide force to move the valve member to a closed position.

[028] The bias means can be positioned such that the moment force of the bias produced by the bias means about hinged connection will be less at the valve opened position when compared to the valve closed position

[029] In a fully opened, condition, the valve member has little or no moments applied to a hinge connecting the valve member to the valve body.

[030] The valve can also include a releasable locking means which, can hold said valve member in the closed condition until the application of a predetermined force from pressure on an upstream side of the valve member.

[031] The present invention further relates to a through flow water valve that allows for little or no differential pressure losses in the open position but provides adequate bias towards the closed position to maintain sealing. The invention allows for lower energy consumption by the system pumps while maximizing the fluid through-flow aperture. The invention comprises of four parts; a valve body inclusive of the valve seat, a valve head shaped to allow maximum through flow when opened, a hinge mechanism, and a means for biasing the valve head towards the- closed position that decreases as the valve head is opened.

[032] Accordingly, the invention can include:

[033] first means for sealing the valve head under standard regulation pressure that essentially locks the head in place until a certain differential pressure is reached;

[034] second a means to bias the valve head towards the closed position that, upon the valve head reaching the open position, has little to no moment force being exerted on the valve head hinge;

[035] third means for the valve head to fit the shape of the housing in which the valve is contained; and

[036] fourth means to prevent blockage of the valve when foreign matter passes through the valve aperture.

[037] The first means for sealing the valve head under standard regulation pressure may take any desired form. Preferably, it consists of, but is not limited to, a thin flexible seal incorporated into both the valve head and valve seat that exerts a radial force in the closed position when a pressure is applied across the valve head. This ensures that for small movements of the valve head no leaking of the valve will occur. This flexible seal is then coupled with a small protrusion that buckles only when the desired upstream pressure is applied to the upstream valve head face. This allows the valve head to remain leak proof via a combination of the radial force from the thin flexible ring which stops the fluid from leaking and provides a minimal friction force in the direction of fluid flow, and also a direct contact force applied by the small protruding piece designed to buckle when the differential pressure across the valve head reaches a minimum of 7KPa (approx 700mm H₂O) as set by regulations. The valve head is moved to the closed position by the second means before engaging the small protrusion piece to hold in position.

[038] The second means for biasing the valve head towards the closed position that, upon the valve head reaching the open position, has little to no moment force being exerted on the valve head hinge may take any desired form. Preferably, it consists of, but is not limited to, a spring means having one end attached to the upstream valve head face and an opposite end attached to the valve body. The spring means is preferably pre-loaded to provide a minimal differential pressure across the valve head when the trapdoor valve is opened. The spring means ^" is preferably positioned such that the moment force of the spring means about the valve head hinge will be less at the valve opened position when compared to the valve closed position. This will allow for the spring means to exert maximum effort at the closed position and minimal effort at the opened position.

[039] The third means for the valve head to fit the shape of the housing in which the valve is contained may take any suitable form. Preferably, this is achieved by the valve head being formed to match the shape of the housing at the time of manufacture. The valve seat is preferably shaped such that the valve head will sit concentric within the piping section when in the open position and will still seal correctly against the valve seat in the closed position.

[040] The fourth means to prevent blockage of the valve when foreign matter passes through the valve aperture may take any desired form. Preferably, it consists of, but is not limited to, a small deflector guard which covers the spring in the open position and protects the spring from foreign material and clogging by deflecting the foreign material away from the spring coils. This small guard may be formed integral with the valve body or may be a separate attachment that is positioned after the spring installation. The guard may be fixed in place at all times or may be hinged to allow for the guard to position itself in an optimum place for protecting the spring. The material for the guard rnay be hard in nature but a suitable flexible material may also be used.

[041] In the preferred embodiment the valve hinge will be a live hinge to allow for simplification of the manufacture and assembly processes. A general style hinge is also possible.

[042] In the preferred embodiment the spring means will be in the form of a tension spring attached as described previously. However a bow type spring may also be used instead. Other spring types may be substituted if found to be appropriate for this application.

[043] In the preferred embodiment the valve housing will be able to be fitted: into existing fluid delivery systems by use of standard pipe fittings and will provide for fixing the valve in place within the housing. Multiple combinations of fittings are possible. •

Brief description of the drawings

[044] An embodiment or embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[045] Figure 1 is an orthogonal view of the valve shown in the open condition;

[046] Figure 2 is an end on view of the valve of Figure 1, showing the valve member or head in a fully open position or condition; [047] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the valve of Figure 1;

[048] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the valve of Figure 1 showing the valve member or head in a closed position or condition;

[049] Figure 5 is a detailed cross-sectional side view of a portion of the locking mechanism shown in Figure 4 of the valve of Figure 1;

[050] Figure 6 is a detailed cross-sectional side view of the portion of Figure 5, with the locking mechanism at a differential pressure just below the threshold pressure required to fully open the valve member or head;

[051 ] Figure 7 is a detailed cross-sectional side view of the portion of Figure 5, with the locking mechanism illustrated as the valve member or head is being closed;

[052] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional side view of an alternate embodiment;

[053] Figure 9 is a view of the valve shown in Figure 1 fitted into a pipe;

[054] " Figure 10 illustrates a valve having a different locking mechanism to that of the valves of Figures 1 to 9;

[055] Figure 11 illustrates an end view of the valve of Figure 10, when the valve member or head is in the fully open condition;

[056] Figure 12 illustrates the valve of Figure 11, in cross section;

[057] Figure 13 illustrates the valve of Figure 10 in the closed condition in cross section; . ^■

[058] Figure 14 illustrates a portion of the valve of Figures 10 to 13.in cross section to detail the lock mechanism in the locked condition;

[059] . Figure 15 is a view of the portion of Figure 14, as the lock mechanism is in the process of releasing the valve head or member;

[060]° Figure 16 illustrates the valve of Figures 10 to 15 in-situ in a pipe in a folly opened condition;

[061] Figure 17 illustrates perspective view of a valve in a fully opened condition having a live hinge with an integrally moulded spring;

[062] Figure 18 illustrates an end view of the valve of Figure 17;

[063] Figure 19 illustrates, the valve of Figures 17 and 18 in cross section; [064] Figure 20 illustrates an end view of the valve of Figures 17 to 20 when the valve

^■ member or head is in a closed condition; [065] Figure 21 illustrates the valve of Figure 20 in cross section;

[066] Figure 22 illustrates the valve of Figures 17 to 21 in-situ in a pipe in a fully opened condition;

[067] Figure 23 illustrates perspective view of a valve having separate body and head in a fully opened condition having a live hinge with an integrally moulded spring;

[068] Figure 24 illustrates an end view of the valve of Figure 23 ;

[069] ^' Figure 25 illustrates the valve of Figures 23 and 24 in cross section;

[070] Figure 26 illustrates an end view of the valve of Figures 23 to 25 when the valve member or head is in a closed condition;

[071] Figure 27 illustrates the valve of Figure 26 in cross section;

[072] Figure 28 illustrates a cross section of a valve having a live hinge formed as part of a separate moulding together with seals, lock mechanism and valve seats which are assembled with the valve body and the valve head or member;

[073] Figure 29 illustrates a cross section through a valve having a hinge pin and torsion spring, with the valve body side of the lock mechanism being integrally moulded with the body, while the valve member side of the lock mechanism is moulded with the seal for attachment to the valve member;

[074] Figure 30 illustrates a cross section of a portion of the lock mechanism as the valve member approaches the valve body in a closing or locking direction;

[075] Figure 31 illustrates the portion of Figure 30 in the locked condition;

[076] Figure 32 illustrates the portions of Figures 30 and 31, moving to an unlocked . condition; and

[077] Figure 33 illustrates the valve of Figure 10 in-situ in an appropriately sized threaded housing which will join with threaded ends of pipes, and which locates the valve and prevents it from moving. Detailed description of the embodiment or embodiments

[078] Illustrated in Figure 1 is a one way water valve 10 which shows the valve member or head 12 in an open condition. As can be seen the valve head 12 has a generally concave on one side and convex on the other form, which is shaped so as to fit neatly into a cylindrical valve housing and related pipe without interfering with the water flow. When in the open condition, as in Figure 1 or 9, it can be seen that the convex side of valve head 12 rests against the pipe having the valve 10, leaving the concave side of the valve member 12 open to the volume of the pipe, thereby allowing water to flow there over with very little obstruction to flow being presented.

[079] The valve body 11 includes an 0-ring 19 that ensures no leakage between the valve body 11 and the valve housing. A tension spring 13 is provided, and as can be seen in Figures 1 and 9 will lie almost parallel to the direction of flow such that the moment forces exerted by the spring 13 on the hinge 15 will be a minimum. The spring 13, as best seen in Figures 1 and 3, is made up of a coiled end 13.1, and intermediate curved and uncoiled portion 13.2 and finally terminating in a coiled end 13.3. The intermediate portion 13.2 by being curved or arched away from the lunge 15, ensures that no portion of the spring 13 interferes or make contact with the hinge 15, once the valve member or head 12 is in the fully open condition.

[080] A deflector in the form of a spring guard 14, as best seen in Figures 1, 3 and 4 is also provided so as to protect the spring 13 from foreign matter and debris that passes through or enters the water valve 10.

[081] . A valve seat 16 is formed integrally with the valve body 11 at the time of manufacture allowing for a reduced manufacture cost. From the Figures it can be seen how the valve seat 16 and flexible seal 17 on the valve head or member 12 follows the contoured shape of the valve head 12. This shape is repeated at a slightly larger diameter by the valve body flexible seal 18 which ensures that the two seals 17, 18 will maintain integrity of the water valve 10 up to the standardised differential pressure of 7KPa (approx 700mm H₂O).

[082] Visible in Figure 1 is the small locking protrusion 20 that applies a physical locking force up to the 7KPa prescribed under standards before this small locking protrusion 20 then buckles and allows the valve head 12 to be released and open the water valve 10 allowing water flow to occur.

[083] Figure 2 serves to illustrate that the fluid aperture 21, provided when the valve 10 is in full open condition, as being almost the entire cross-sectional area of the internal diameter of the body of the water valve 10 which allows the valve body 11 to be much smaller in size than current valves on the market. From Figure 2 it can also be seen how the deflector or spring guard 14 provides a protective cavity for spring 13 while ensuring the fluid flow will not experience excessive disturbance by use of a smooth transition from the internal valve body 11 surface to the spring guard 14

[084] The cross-sectional side view of Figure 3 shows the component positions relative to one another and it can be seen how the spring 13 force will act almost through the hinge 15 in the open condition where in this embodiment the hinge 15 is a live hinge. Other hinge types are possible including standard pivot hinges.

[085] Figure 4 shows the valve head 12, in the closed condition. It should be rioted how the spring guard 14 changes in orientation with the change in position of the spring.13. The small locking protrusion 20 forms a detent and as can be seen from Figures 4 to 7, engages against the back surface 22 of the valve head or member 12. At the centre of the valve body, the surface 22 engages protrusion 20 at an.angle of approx 20 to 30 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the valve 10. This is approx 60 to 70 degrees to the vertical axis in the view of Figure 4. Other angles could be present, eg from 0 to 90 degrees from the vertical axis in this, view, according to the amount of pressure differential required to provide the opening force.

[086] Figure 5 shows the locking mechanism of Figure 4 in larger detail so as to better understand the method of locking of the water valve 10 up to the differential pressure of 7KPa. The small locking protrusion 20 has a set thickness at its buckle corner 23 that is set by the 7KPa requirement. This small protrusion 20 will maintain the valve head 12 in a locked position via the direct contact force at the contact surface 22 until the 7KPa threshold is reached at which time the buckle corner 23 will elastically buckle and allow the valve head 12 to open.

[087] Figure 6 shows how at differential pressures up to the threshold the two seals 17,

18 are able to prevent leaking by making use of the same pressure forces that are trying to open the valve head 12. This is achieved by the pressure forces exerting a force upon the two seals 17, 18 that force them towards one another and maintain the seal for minor movements in the valve head 12.

[088] Similarly from Figure 7 it is illustrated that when the valve head 12 is being closed by the biasing force of spring 13 (and if present any back flow or pressure from the water) the small protrusion 20 is shifted out of the way by the valve head 12 before engaging the contact surface 22 and locking the valve head 12 in place. [089] An alternate embodiment is shown in Figure 8 and contains a bow type spring 24 instead of the previous embodiment tension spring 13 of Figure 3. This bow type spring 24 works similarly to the tension spring 13 of Figure 3 except a guard is unlikely to be necessary due to the standard shape of the bow type spring 24 that will naturally make foreign material pass over it.

[090] Figure 9 shows the embodiment of Figure 3 fitted into a general pipe section. It can easily be seen how the valve head or member 12 conforms to the shape of the pipe wall, by the convex side resting against the pipe wall and the concave side opening out into the pipe and thus allows better flow to occur due to the more open profile able to be achieved by this body shape.

[091 ] The springs and bias members used are preferably made of stainless steel.

[092] The valve body 11, and valve member or head 12, can be manufactured from appropriate water grade thermoplastic rubber, polypropylene, or other appropriate engineering plastics. Preferably the seals 17 and 18 are moulded from silicone or silicone rubber or any appropriate material. The body 11 and its seal 18, and the head 12 and its seal 17 can be moulded in a single process or alternatively in a two part process, or made separately and assembled together, as described below.

[093] In the valves of Figures 1 to 9, the detent or lock 20 on the valve body deforms while the valve head or member 12 pushes past the lock 20. In the following description of Figures 10 to 32, the valves in these Figures all have a portion of the valve head or member 12 being deformable, while the lock or detent 20 remains stationary and generally does not deform to allow the valve head 12 to pass to the locked and unlocked condition. In the following description like parts in Figures 10 to 32 have been numbered with the same reference numeral as in Figure 1 to 9.

[094] Illustrated in Figures 10 to 16 is a valve 10.2, similar in most respect to the valve

10 of Figures 1 to 7. The valve 10.2 includes a hinge 15 which is integrally moulded like the _. valve 10, but the main difference is that the valve 10.2 includes an inclined detent 20, which has an adjacent aperture or recess 20.1 in which a deformable protrusion 22 formed at the top of the valve head or member 12 can be received. The seals 17 and 18 operate as previously described with reference to the valve 10. As the valve member 12 closes (that is it moves in the direct from left to right in Figure 14) it deforms as it slides along the inclined detent 20 (see figure 30), under the influence of either the spring 13 and or back pressure in the pipe. Once the protrusion 22 is. in the aperture or recess 20.1 it will assume its undeformed condition, by virtue of the elastic nature of the material from which the valve member 12 is made. By the shoulder 20.2 on the lock 20 being generally parallel to the outer surface of the protrusion 22, and the inside face of protrusion 22 being angled with respect thereto, the force required to move the protrusion 22 to the unlocked condition will be greater than to move the protrusion to the locked condition.

[095] Illustrated in Figure 15 is the locking portion of the valve 10.2, shown as the valve member is moving to an open condition, which is in the direction right to left in Figure 15. In this movement the detent 20 does not deform or move, rather the protrusion 22 will deform as is illustrated in Figure 15, once the pressure upstream of the valve member 12 has reached the desired pressure to cause the release of the valve member 12 from the lock formed by the detent 20 and the aperture or recess 20.1.

[096] The physical properties including the elastic properties of the material used to make the valve member 12 will determine the thickness of the protrusion 22 so that it will deform elastically when the desired upstream pressure is achieved to open the valve 10.2.

[097] Figure 15 also helps to illustrate how the seals 17 and 18 continue to make contact until such time as the protrusion 22 has deformed past the detent 20.

[098] Illustrated in Figure 33 is a valve 10.2 similar to that of valve 10.2 of Figure 10 shown in cross section in-situ with a threaded housing 33.2, which includes a larger diameter shoulder against which a shoulder on the valve body 11 engages. The shoulder is the start of a larger diameter portion on to which the O-ring seal 19 can be mounted. To the upstream side of the valve is a threaded pipe member 33.1 which locates the valve 10.2 into the housing 33.2, and prevent any sliding relative thereto. The fittings 331. 2 and 33.1 have threaded female ends into which the male threaded ends of the pipes 33.3 and 33.4 can be joined. The arrangement of Figure 33 provides an alternative means to mount the valves into, a pipe work system.

[099] Illustrated in Figure 17 to 22 is a valve 10.3 which is similar to the valve 10.2 of

Figures 10 to 16, except that the spring 13 is replaced by an integrally moulded 15 hinge which has spring or elastic properties, which are achieved from the form of the hinge. If desired, spring ^• members 13 as illustrated in Figure 17 can be moulded with or captured by the valve member 12 and valve body 11 adjacent the hinge 15 to provide the closing forces previously provided by the spring 13. As is illustrated in Figure 18, this provides, an even bigger free opening or water passage through the valve 10.3 than the previous embodiments, and provides less locations to act as a catch or trap for debris passing through the valve 10.3. [0100] Illustrated in Figures 23 to 27 is a valve 10.4, which is similar in construction to above described valve -10.2 except that the valve body 11 and valve member 12 are not integrally moulded with a live hinge 15 as in valve 10.2. Instead the valve member 12 and valve body- 11 are separately moulded and a hinge pin inserted into hinge openings so as to assemble the valve head 12 to the valve body 11. While tension spring 13 is illustrated, it could be replaced by a hinge mounted rotation or torsion type spring so that like the valve 10.3 there will be no spring in the internal portions of the valve 10.4, to entrap debris etc.

[0101] In the above described valves, the lock mechanism is made up of a deformable portion 20 located on the valve body 11 cooperating with a non-deformable portion 22 on the valve member 12-, or a non-deformable portion 20 located on the valve body 11 cooperating with a deformable portion 22 on the valve member 12. If desired, the two portions 20 and 22 of the ^■locking mechanism can be configured to deform so as to achieve the release of the valve member from the valve body 11, once the desired upstream pressure has been achieved.

[0102] In the valves illustrated to date, the seals 17 and 18 are integrally formed with the valve members 12 and valve bodies 11. However as is illustrated in Figure 28 is a cross section of a valve assembly 10.5, wherein the valve seat 16, the seal 18 and locking protrusion 20, deformable protrusion 22 and the seal 17 are formed as a single moulding and are assembled to the valve member 12 and the valve body 11. In this valve 10.5 the hinge 15 is preferably a live hinge and is preferably formed as part of the single moulding with the seals 17 and 18 and the other parts. If desired, the hinge 15 can instead be formed as a live hinge joining the valve body 11 and the valve member 12, with the seals 17, 18 and other parts being assembled thereto.

[0103] In Figure 29 is a valve 10.6 which also has the seals 17, 18, valve seat 16, and deformable protrusion 22 formed in a single moulding and assembled to the valve body 11 which has a non deformable locking protrusion 20 integrally moulded therewith, hi this valve 10.6 a hinge aperture 15.1 is formed in a.boss 15.3 on the valve. body 11, and in boss 15.4 on the valve member 12, and these are assembled together with a hinge pin 15.2. Arranged around the hinge pin 15.2 is a torsion spring 13 which has one arm 13.1 engaging the valve member 12, while other arm 13.2 engages the valve body 11, in order to provide a bias to rotate the valve member relative to the valve body to a closed position.

[0104] In the above description, the springs 13 are used to move the valve member to the locked condition, in which condition the valve 10 is also closed. However, as is illustrated in Figure 30, by the seal 17 engaging the seat 16 or seal 18, before the deformable protrusion 22 on the valve member 12 engages the inclined detent 20, this ensures that the valve member 12 has created a seal relative to the seat 16 or seal 18, and even though the valve in this condition is not locked, it is closed,, and will prevent water from flowing in the downstream to upstream direction under the influence of a back pressure. If any back pressure is applied to the valve member 12, then this back pressure, in addition to any buoyancy forces and spring forces, will move the valve member 12 to the locked and closed condition as described above.

[0105] Accordingly, as is the case with figure 29, a torsional spring 13 need not provide sufficient force to lock the valve member 12 to the valve body 11, it need simply, when there is no flow have sufficient spring force, so that together with the buoyancy of the valve member 12 and its seal 17, the valve member will move to a closed condition, that is the seal 17 will touch or engage either seat 16 and or seal 18.

[0106] The series of illustrations of Figures 30 to 32 also shows a valve constructions wherein the seal 17 and the protrusion 22 are formed separately of the valve member 12 and assembled therewith, while the seal 18, seat 16 and detent 20 are integrally formed with the valve body 11. ^"

[0107] Where ever it is used, the word "comprising" is to be understood in its "open" sense, that is, in the sense of "including", and thus not limited to its "closed" sense, that is the sense of "consisting only of. A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words "comprise", "comprised" and "comprises" where they appear.

[01.08] It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text. AU of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

[0109] While particular embodiments of this invention have been described, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments and examples are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all modifications which would be obvious to those skilled in the art are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

1. A one way flow valve having a valve body which includes a valve seat and or a seal, a valve member which includes a seal to engage said valve seat and or said seal when said valve is in a closed condition and a releasable locking means which can hold said valve member in said closed condition until the application of a predetermined force from pressure on an upstream side of said valve member.

2. A valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein said valve member is hingedly connected to said valve body.

3. A valve as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said valve includes a bias means to provide force to move said valve member to a closed position.

4. A valve member as claimed in claim 3, wherein said bias means is positioned such that the moment force of the bias produced by said bias means about hinged connection will be less at the valve opened position when compared to the valve closed position

5. A valve as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein in a fully opened condition, said valve member has little or no moments applied to a hinge connecting said valve member to said valve body.

6. A valve as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said seat or said seal on said body and said seal- on said valve member exert on each other a radial force when said valve member is in said closed condition.

7. A valve as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said valve member and said valve seat are concentric with said valve body.

8. A valve as claimed in any one of claims 3 , or 4 to 7 when appended to claim 3 , wherein said bias means cooperates with a deflector means which covers said bias means when said valve is in an open condition.

9. A valve as claimed in any one of claims 3, or 4 to 8 when appended to claim 3, wherein said bias means is a spring, such as a tension spring or a bow spring, or a leaf spring.

10. A valve as claimed in any one of claims 2, or 3 to 9 when appended to claim 2* wherein said valve member is hingedly connected by means of a hinge.

11. A valve as claimed in claim 10, wherein said hinge is integrally formed with said valve member.

12. A valve as claimed in claim 8, wherein said deflector means is integrally formed with said valve body.

13. A valve as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein said valve member is formed having a curved constructions, so that one side is convex and another side is concave, allowing said convex side to lay adjacent to a pipe internal wall when in use.

14. A valve as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein said valve member and said valve body are hinged together by a hinge having sufficient elasticity to bias said valve member to the closed condition relative to said body.

15. A valve as claimed in claim 14, wherein the valve body and valve member each have ■ hinge receiving apertures to receive a hinge pin.

16. A valve as claimed in claim 15, wherein a torsion or rotational spring is assembled to cooperate with said valve body and said valve member, by and or around said hinge pin.

17. A valve as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said releasable locking means includes a stationary or non-deformable detent on said valve body to cooperate with a moveable or deformable protrusion on said valve member.

18. A valve as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein said releasable locking means includes a moveable or deformable detent on said valve body to cooperate with a portion of said valve member which does not move or deform relative to the rest of said valve member.

19. A valve as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein said releasable locking means includes a moveable or deformable detent on said valve body to cooperate with a portion of said valve member which also moves or deforms relative the rest of said valve member.

20. A valve as claimed in any one of claim 3 or 4 to 19 when appended to claim 3, wherein said bias means or spring if present provides sufficient force to move said valve member to a locked condition. _.

21. A valve as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said valve is closed before said releasable locking means holds said valve member in said closed condition.

22. A valve as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said releasable locking ' means will release said valve member before said seal on said valve member has broken contact with said seat or seal on said valve body.

23. A one way flow valve having a valve body which includes a valve seat and or a seal, a valve member which includes a seal to engage said valve seat and or said seal when said valve is in a closed condition and wherein said seat or said seal on said body and said seal on said valve member exert on each other a radial force when said valve member is in said closed condition and when an upstream pressure is applied to said seat or said seal on said body and said seal on said valve member.

24. A valve as claimed in claim 23, wherein said valve member is hingedly connected to said valve body.

25. A valve as claimed in claim 23 or 24, wherein said valve includes a bias means to provide force to move said valve member to a closed position.

26. A valve member as claimed in claim 25, wherein said bias means is positioned such that the moment force of the bias produced by said bias means about hinged connection will be less at the valve opened position when compared to the valve closed position

27. A valve as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 26, wherein in a fully opened condition, said valve member has little or no moments applied to a hinge connecting said valve member to said valve body.

28. A valve as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 27, wherein said valve also includes a releasable locking means which can hold said valve member in said closed condition until the application of a predetermined force from pressure on an upstream side of said valve member.

29. A valve being substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying Figures of the drawings