US 6,981,513 B2 | ||
Fluid flow management system | ||
Lee A. Krywitsky, Calgary (Canada) | ||
Assigned to Hiltap Fittings, LTD, Salt Lake City, Utah (US) | ||
Filed on May 07, 2002, as Appl. No. 10/140,276. | ||
Application 10/140276 is a continuation in part of application No. 09/628075, filed on Jul. 28, 2000, granted, now 6,672,327. | ||
Prior Publication US 2002/0170596 A1, Nov. 21, 2002 | ||
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer. | ||
Int. Cl. F16K 17/36 (2006.01); F16L 37/36 (2006.01); G01M 3/08 (2006.01) |
U.S. Cl. 137—68.14 | 45 Claims |
1. A fluid system apparatus suitable for use in conjunction with a fluid system, comprising:
(a) a valve assembly disposed between a fluid source and a fluid destination for facilitating a transfer of fluid between
the fluid source and the fluid destination such that leakage of the fluid is minimized when the valve assembly is disassembled,
the valve assembly comprising:
(i) a housing including a source housing and a destination housing, wherein a coupler releasably engages the source housing
with the destination housing;
(ii) a source flow control assembly including a source resilient member disposed within the source housing, wherein the source
flow control assembly controls the transfer of the fluid through the source housing;
(iii) a destination flow control assembly including a destination resilient member disposed within the destination housing,
wherein the destination flow control assembly controls the transfer of the fluid through the, destination housing;
(iv) an actuating lever operably connected with the housing;
(v) an actuating mechanism operably connected with the actuating lever, wherein the actuating mechanism includes a driver
and at least one displacement shaft, the at least one displacement shaft connected with the source flow control assembly,
wherein the driver and the at least one displacement shaft cause the destination flow control assembly and the source flow
control assembly to open at substantially the same time when the actuating lever is rotated, and wherein the source flow control
assembly and the destination flow control assembly close when the source housing separates from the destination housing, said
actuating mechanism configured to lock in an overextended position when fully actuated; and
(b) a feedback system including:
(i) means for exerting a predetermined pressure on at least a passage;
(ii) means for sensing fluid flow, said means for sensing fluid flow in at least indirect communication with said means for
exerting a predetermined pressure; and
(iii) a processor in operative communication with said means for sensing fluid flow.
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