Three-in-one valve and control system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a three-in-one valve comprising an inlet shutoff valve for shutting off flow to an inlet of the valve, an outlet shutoff valve for shutting off flow into an outlet of the valve and a control valve for opening and closing the valve. During operation, the control valve can be opened and closed while the inlet shut off valve and outlet shut off valve are in an open position. The inlet shutoff valve and outlet shutoff can be closed for preventing flow into the control valve, thereby allowing the control valve to be serviced without draining of an attached fluid system, such as a radiator. In one embodiment, the three-in-one valve can be used to provide individual zone control for an individual radiator in a multi-radiator and boiler recirculating system.

1 . A three-in-one valve comprising:
 an inlet shutoff valve for shutting off flow to an inlet of said valve;   an outlet shutoff valve for shutting off flow into an outlet of said valve; and   a control valve for opening and closing said valve.   
   
   
       2 . The valve of  claim 1  wherein said inlet shutoff valve comprises a plug said plug being fitted within said inlet. 
   
   
       3 . The valve of  claim 2  wherein said inlet shutoff valve further comprises an opening in said plug and a shutoff screw received in said opening, said shutoff screw being used for screwing said plug within said inlet. 
   
   
       4 . The valve of  claim 3  wherein said plug further comprises an O-ring at one end. 
   
   
       5 . The valve of  claim 3  wherein said inlet shutoff valve further comprises an end cap adjacent to said plug, said end cap attaching to a portion of said inlet. 
   
   
       6 . The valve of  claim 1  wherein said outlet shutoff valve comprises a butterfly valve, said butterfly valve including a rotatable butterfly disc for sealing said outlet. 
   
   
       7 . The valve of  claim 6  further comprising a butterfly screw coupled to said butterfly disc, said butterfly screw being rotated for rotating said butterfly disc. 
   
   
       8 . The valve of  claim 1  wherein said control valve comprises a diaphragm valve. 
   
   
       9 . The valve of  claim 8  wherein said diaphragm valve comprises a diaphragm positioned within a valve body and a body cap, said valve body being adjacent said body cap said diaphragm forming an upper chamber and a lower chamber. 
   
   
       10 . The valve of  claim 9  further comprising a bi-stable solenoid coupled to a plunger, said plunger being adjacent said diaphragm, said bi-stable solenoid being activated to raise and lower said plunger for opening and closing said diaphragm. 
   
   
       11 . The valve of  claim 9  wherein said diaphragm includes an aperture, said aperture providing fluid flow between said lower chamber and said upper chamber for equalizing pressure in said control valve. 
   
   
       12 . The valve of  claim 9  wherein said valve body includes a funnel portion at an upper surface thereof adjacent a central opening in said valve body. 
   
   
       13 . The valve of  claim 12  wherein said funneled portion has an elliptical shape. 
   
   
       14 . The valve of  claim 1  further comprising a remote controlled control system for controlling said control valve. 
   
   
       15 . The valve of  claim 14  wherein said remote controlled control system comprises a valve controller coupled to said control valve and a main control unit communicating to said valve control unit. 
   
   
       16 . The valve unit of  claim 15  further comprising a remote control unit, said remote control unit communicating with said main control unit. 
   
   
       17 . The valve of  claim 16  wherein said main control unit communicates wirelessly to said valve controller and said remote controller. 
   
   
       18 . Use of a three-in-one valve for controlling fluid flow in a boiler recirculation system wherein said three-in-one valve comprises:
 an inlet shutoff valve for shutting off flow to an inlet of said valve;   an outlet shutoff valve for shutting off flow into an outlet of said valve; and   a control valve for opening and closing said valve.   
   
   
       19 . The use of  claim 18  wherein the three-in-one valve is coupled to a radiator. 
   
   
       20 . The use of  claim 18  wherein the three-in-one valve is positioned in an inlet to at least one radiator. 
   
   
       21 . The use of  claim 18  wherein said three-in-one valve is positioned at one or more outlets of a boiler manifold.