VALVE OVER-TRAVEL MECHANISM

摘要

A valve having an over-travel spring that does not necessarily need an excessively additional force to further close the valve once its valve seal comes into contact with a valve seat. The feature may be achieved by inserting an over-travel spring between a plate or stop attached to a valve stem, and a valve seal. The valve seal may come in contact with a valve seat when the valve is closed with movement of the valve stem. The valve stem may continue to travel after contact between the valve seal and the valve seat without additional force, other than that added by compressing the over-travel spring, and with a proof-of-closure sensor indicating valve closure. The valve stem may be moved in either direction for closing and opening the valve with an assist, such as a solenoid or other mechanism.

主权项

1. A valve mechanism comprising:
a valve body; a valve stem situated in the valve body and moveable in first and second directions of a longitude dimension of the valve stem; a valve seat within the valve body; a main plate attached to the valve stem with the valve stem perpendicular to the main plate; an over-travel spring having a first end attached to the main plate; a valve seal structure having a first surface attached to a second end of the over-travel spring, with the valve stem perpendicular to the first surface of the valve seal structure; and a valve seat attached to a rigid support of the valve body, facing a second surface of the valve seal structure; and wherein moving the valve stem in the first direction of the longitudinal dimension of the valve stem results in movement of the main plate pushing the over-travel spring and in turn pushing the valve seal structure towards the valve seat to reduce or stop a possible flow of a fluid between the valve seal structure and the valve seat.