Tubular flapper valves

Abstract

A bypass valve assembly for a fluid device, such as a heat exchanger, has a plate-like main body defining an inlet opening and an outlet opening communicating with the inlet and outlet of the fluid device. The main body has a bypass passage extending between the inlet and outlet openings therein. A tubular flapper valve assembly is releasably located in the outlet opening of the main body. The tubular flapper valve assembly includes a semi-cylindrical spring flapper which opens to allow bypass flow when the pressure in the bypass passage exceeds a predetermined limit. The tubular flapper valve assembly is orientated to allow flow therethrough from the fluid device outlet.

1 . A bypass valve assembly for use with a fluid device having an inlet and an outlet, said assembly comprising: 
 a main body member having means defining an inlet opening, and a cylindrical wall portion defining an outlet opening spaced from the inlet opening and orientated coaxially with the fluid device outlet, the cylindrical wall portion having a bypass opening formed therein, and means defining a bypass passage extending between the inlet opening and the bypass opening; 
 the inlet and outlet openings being adapted to be coupled in fluid communication respectively with the fluid device inlet and outlet for fluid flow through the fluid device;  
 a flexible flapper disposed within the outlet opening, the flapper having a free end portion movable between an open position, apart from the bypass aperture, and a closed position, overlying the bypass aperture, the free end portion being dimensioned to restrict flow through the bypass aperture when disposed at its closed position;  
 locating means for maintaining the location of the flapper in the outlet opening; and  
 bias means for biasing the flapper into the closed position.  
   
   
   
       2 . A bypass valve assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the free end portion is dimensioned to substantially arrest flow through the bypass aperture when disposed at its closed position.  
   
   
       3 . A bypass valve assembly according to  claim 1  and further comprising a tube releasably mounted in the main body member outlet opening, the tube defining a bypass opening in communication with the cylindrical wall portion bypass opening.  
   
   
       4 . A bypass valve assembly according to  claim 3  wherein the tube is dimensioned to be frictionally held within the outlet opening.  
   
   
       5 . A bypass valve assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the cylindrical wall portion has a transverse groove formed therein, wherein the flapper has a mounting end portion, the mounting end portion of the flapper having a transverse ridge formed therein, and wherein the locating means is said ridge being located in said groove.  
   
   
       6 . A bypass valve assembly according to  claim 3  wherein the tube has a transverse groove formed therein, wherein the flapper has a mounting end portion, the mounting end portion of the flapper having a transverse ridge formed therein, and wherein the locating means is said ridge being located in said groove.  
   
   
       7 . A bypass valve assembly according to  claim 6  wherein the flapper extends in an arc spanning approximately one-half of the inner circumference of the cylindrical wall portion.  
   
   
       8 . A bypass valve assembly according to  claim 3  wherein the locating means is a rivet attaching the flapper to the tube.  
   
   
       9 . A bypass valve assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the main body member is a flat plate.  
   
   
       10 . A bypass valve assembly according to  claim 1  wherein bias means is the flapper constructed from spring steel.  
   
   
       11 . A bypass valve assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the cylindrical wall portion has a transverse groove formed therein, and further comprising a tube mounted in the main body member outlet opening to define the cylindrical wall portion, and wherein the locating means is a rivet attaching the flapper to the tube, the rivet being partially located in the groove.  
   
   
       12 . A bypass valve assembly according to  claim 11  wherein the flapper has a mounting end portion remote from the free end portion, the rivet passing through the mounting end portion of the flapper.  
   
   
       13 . In a heat exchanger including a heat exchange element having a spaced-apart inlet and outlet and a plurality of heat exchange passages therebetween, a bypass valve assembly comprising: 
 a main body member connected to the heat exchange element and having means defining an inlet opening communicating with the inlet, and a cylindrical wall portion defining an outlet opening orientated coaxially and communicating with the heat exchange element outlet, the cylindrical wall portion having a bypass opening formed therein, and means defining a bypass passage extending between the inlet opening and the bypass opening;    a flexible flapper disposed within the outlet opening, the flapper having a free end portion movable between an open position, spaced from the bypass aperture, and a closed position, overlying the bypass aperture, the free end portion being dimensioned to restrict flow through the bypass aperture when disposed at its closed position;    locating means for maintaining the location of the flapper in the outlet opening; and    bias means for biasing the flapper into the closed position.    
   
   
       14 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 13  wherein the bias means is the flapper being formed of spring steel, the spring constant of the spring steel being such that flow through the bypass aperture occurs when the fluid pressure in the bypass passage exceeds a predetermined limit.  
   
   
       15 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 13  and further comprising a tube releasably mounted in the main body member outlet opening, the tube defining a bypass opening in communication with the cylindrical wall portion bypass opening.  
   
   
       16 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 15  wherein the cylindrical wall portion has a transverse groove formed therein, wherein the flapper has a mounting end portion, the mounting end portion of the flapper having a transverse ridge formed therein, and wherein the locating means is said ridge being located in said groove.  
   
   
       17 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 16  wherein the flapper extends in an arc spanning approximately one-half of the inner circumference of the cylindrical wall portion.  
   
   
       18 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 13  wherein the cylindrical wall portion has a transverse groove formed therein, wherein the flapper has a mounting end portion, the mounting end portion of the flapper having a transverse ridge formed therein, and wherein the locating means is said ridge being located in said groove.  
   
   
       19 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 18  wherein the flapper extends in an arc spanning approximately one-half of the inner circumference of the cylindrical wall portion.  
   
   
       20 . A heat exchanger according to  claim 13  wherein the cylindrical wall portion has a transverse groove formed therein, and further comprising a tube mounted in the main body member outlet opening to define the cylindrical wall portion, and wherein the locating means is a rivet attaching the flapper to the tube, the rivet being partially located in the groove.