摘要 |
An in-line valve is disclosed or for closing or restricting flow through a liquid conduit or an opening in a liquid containment vessel when the valve is closed, the valve having a valve seat associated with the liquid conduit or the opening in the liquid containment vessel, a valve member that can move between an open position in which it does not engage with the seat and a closed position in which it engages with the seat to close the valve, and a hygroscopic material that can move the valve member between the open and closed positions, wherein when the valve member is in the open position liquid is able to pass freely through the valve but as the liquid passes through the valve the hygroscopic material absorbs liquid directly from the flow through the valve causing the hygroscopic material to swell and thereby move the valve member into the closed position restricting flow through the liquid conduit or the opening in the liquid containment vessel.
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