Robert G Funderburk

US Patent:

6343618, Feb 5, 2002

Filed:

Feb 28, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/514093

Inventors:

Greg L. Britt - Indian Trail NC
Danny S. Meyer - Monroe NC
Timothy D. Price - Monroe NC
Robert V. Funderburk - Salisbury NC

Assignee:

Conbraco Industries, Inc. - Matthews NC

International Classification:

F16K 1503

US Classification:

137527, 137512, 251337, 251 87

Abstract:

A swing check valve for controlling fluid flow, including a valve housing having a port for fluid flow therethrough with a removable cover for accessing an interior of the valve housing. A valve assembly is positioned within the interior of the valve housing for controlling the fluid flow through the valve housing. The valve assembly includes a valve seat in fluid communication with the port and a clapper mounted in the valve housing on a pivotally-mounted rocker arm and moveable between an open position responsive to fluid flow in a flow direction and a closed position sealed against the valve seat responsive to fluid flow in an opposite, backflow direction. A spring is captured in the valve housing by the removable cover without attachment to either the cover or valve housing, and normally urges the clapper into the closed position sealed against the valve seat. A first pivot is carried by the spring and cooperates with a mating interior surface of the cover for permitting unattached pivotal movement of the spring relative to the cover. A second pivot is carried by the spring and cooperates with a mating pivot surface carried on the rocker arm for permitting unattached pivotal movement of the spring relative to the rocker arm whereby the spring is allowed to pivot within the valve housing responsive to movement of the clapper.

US Patent:

7025085, Apr 11, 2006

Filed:

Mar 9, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/796241

Inventors:

Timothy D. Price - Monroe NC, US
Robert V. Funderburk - Salisbury NC, US
Gareth P. Taylor - Indian Trail NC, US

Assignee:

Conbraco Industries, Inc. - Matthews NC

International Classification:

F16K 15/00

US Classification:

137512, 137529, 137536, 251337

Abstract:

A poppet-type check valve for controlling fluid flow, and including a valve housing having an interior and first and second ports therein communicating with the interior of the valve housing for permitting fluid flow from an upstream side to a downstream side thereof. At least one valve assembly is disposed within the interior of the valve housing for controlling the fluid flow therethrough. The valve assembly includes a valve seat positioned in the interior of the valve housing and a seal retainer positioned in the interior of the valve housing downstream from the valve seat and mounted on a stem. The seal retainer and the stem are axially moveable away from the valve seat in response to fluid flow in a downstream direction at a predetermined flow rate, and axially moveable towards and into sealing engagement with the valve seat in response to a downstream fluid flow at a flow rate less than the predetermined flow rate. A plurality of springs is allowed to compress past the position of neutral load for the purpose of elongating the stroke of the poppet. The elongated stroke results in enhanced flow performance.