Air flow control valve

Abstract

An air flow control valve including: a valve body having an internal cavity and an inlet and outlet in flow communication with the internal cavity, the axes of the inlet and outlet being aligned at substantially 90° each other; a valve seat located within the cavity and co-axially aligned with the outlet, the valve sat being located on the distal end of an upstanding tubular pedestal which is famed around the outlet; the internal cavity being configured so as to define an annular space around the pedestal with which the inlet is in flow communication; a flexible generally planar diaphragm mounted above the valve seat, the diaphragm supporting a valve closure member which is adapted to engage the valve seat to close the valve; valve control means for causing the diaphragm to move towards and away from the valve seat to dose and open the valve respectively; and the valve being characterised in that, with the valve oriented with die inlet axis horizontal and the outlet facing downwards, the valve seat is located at an elevation at or below the upper most edge of the inlet, and the diaphragm is located at an elevation above the upper most edge of the inlet.

1 - 23 . (canceled)  
   
   
       24 . An operator to open and close a control valve having: 
 a body member which is separate from said control valve but is connectable thereto, said body member having a first side with connection means for connection to said control valve and a second side to engage a valve member;    said body member including a passage communicating from said first side to said second side to allow gas from said control valve through said body member when connection has been made;    said body member including a seat around said passage on said second side, which is closable by said valve member, to open and close said passage when desired.    
   
   
       25 . An operator as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein said valve member is movably held between said body member and a second member which connects to said body member.  
   
   
       26 . An operator as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein said body member can be made from a plate having on one side connection means to connect either directly or remotely to said control valve.  
   
   
       27 . An operator as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein said body member includes support members on said second side extending away therefrom.  
   
   
       28 . An operator as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein body member includes a peripheral wall therearound.  
   
   
       29 . An operator as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein said body member is generally cup shaped.  
   
   
       30 . An operator as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein said second member is a solenoid casing held by or which holds said body member.  
   
   
       31 . An operator as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein said second member is a tubular member or a ferrule tube, which is held by or which holds said body member, said tubular member in turn being held by or which holds a solenoid casing.  
   
   
       32 . An operator as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein said second member is held by support members on said body member so as to be kept a predetermined distance away from said seat.  
   
   
       33 . An operator as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein said second member has associated therewith a bias means to bias said valve member towards or away from said seat.  
   
   
       34 . An operator as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein said operator, when in use, is directly connected to said control valve.  
   
   
       35 . An operator as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein said operator, when in use, is connected to said control valve by means of a tube allowing said operator to be remotely located relative to said control valve.  
   
   
       36 . An operator as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein said body member has a plurality of ports formed therein to allow the escape of gas therethrough.  
   
   
       37 . An operator as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein said plurality of ports are formed between a number of support members extending away from said body member.  
   
   
       38 . An operator as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein said valve member is a plunger.