초록 ▼

A valve for controlling fluid flow while permitting flow in only one direction includes a housing having a spherical central opening and connections to permit attachment to fluid flow lines at opposite ends of the housing. The spherical opening is configured to permit fluid flow through the housing.

A valve for controlling fluid flow while permitting flow in only one direction includes a housing having a spherical central opening and connections to permit attachment to fluid flow lines at opposite ends of the housing. The spherical opening is configured to permit fluid flow through the housing. A spherical member is adapted to fit within the spherical central opening of the housing. The spherical member has an opening bored through its center and may be aligned with the housing connections to allow fluid communication between them and positioned perpendicular to the housing connections to prevent fluid communication between them. A rotation member is provided to operate in conjunction with the spherical member to rotate the spherical member within the housing. A closing member is mounted within the spherical member, and is sized to close off the opening bored through the center of the spherical member for one direction of fluid flow. A mounting member is used for connecting the closing member to the spherical member whereby the closing member normally blocks fluid flow through the opening bored through the spherical member in only one direction and opens to fluid flow in the other direction.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method for controlling fluid flow in one direction while preventing fluid flow in another direction comprising:connecting a first fluid line and a second fluid line to different ends of a housing;placing a spherical center portion having a open cylindrical center with

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method for controlling fluid flow in one direction while preventing fluid flow in another direction comprising:connecting a first fluid line and a second fluid line to different ends of a housing;placing a spherical center portion having a open cylindrical center within said housing, said open cylindrical center having a diameter at least equal to said first and said second fluid line;rotating said spherical center portion so that said cylindrical center aligns with said fluid lines to permit said fluid flow;rotating said spherical center so that said cylindrical center is perpendicular to said fluid lines to block said fluid flow;positioning a blocking member configured at one end of said cylindrical center to block said fluid flow from said first fluid line to said second fluid line while permitting said fluid flow from said second fluid line to said first fluid line, allowing a pig to travel unrestricted from said second fluid line through said spherical center portion to said first fluid line when said cylindrical center aligns with said fluid lines; androtating said spherical center portion one hundred eighty degrees to block said fluid flow from said second fluid line to said first fluid line while permitting said fluid flow from said first fluid line to said second fluid line, allowing a pig to travel unrestricted from said first fluid line through said spherical center portion to said second fluid line when said cylindrical center aligns with said fluid lines.