Disc Check Valve

Abstract

A valve for controlling the flow of a fluid through a fluid passage such that a fluid flow in the fluid passage is permitted in a first direction and restricted in a second direction, wherein the valve comprises a modular valve body composed of a two-piece assembly including an inlet body half and an outlet body half joined along a joint interface, the inlet body half and said outlet body half each comprising interchangeable end connections.

1 . A valve for controlling the flow of a fluid through a fluid passage such that a fluid flow in the fluid passage is permitted in a first direction and restricted in a second direction, said valve comprising a modular valve body composed of a two-piece assembly including an inlet body half and an outlet body half joined along a joint interface, said inlet body half and said outlet body half each comprises interchangeable end connections. 
   
   
       2 . The valve as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said joint interface is substantially at a midline of said valve. 
   
   
       3 . The valve as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said midline is substantially perpendicular to a center flow axis of the valve. 
   
   
       4 . The valve as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said joint interface comprises an overlapping “L” shape. 
   
   
       5 . The valve as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein said overlapping “L” shape of said joint interface is solvent bonded for joining said inlet body half and said outlet body half along said joint interface. 
   
   
       6 . The valve as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein said overlapping “L” shape of said joint interface is sonic welded for joining said inlet body half and said outlet body half along said joint interface. 
   
   
       7 . The valve as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein each said interchangeable end connection comprises a male slip luer, female slip luer, male luer lock, female luer lock or tube connection. 
   
   
       8 . The valve as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein each said interchangeable end connection is selected from the group consisting of a male slip luer, female slip luer, male luer lock, female luer lock and tube connection. 
   
   
       9 . A method for assembling a modular valve composed of an inlet body half and an outlet body half joined along a joint interface and enclosing a valve element for controlling the flow of a fluid therethrough such that a fluid flow is permitted in a first direction and restricted in a second direction, comprises the steps of:
 providing a supply of the inlet body halves having the same inlet joint interface and a variety of end connections;   providing a supply of outlet body halves having the same outlet joint interface and a variety of end connections;   wherein said inlet joint interface and said outlet joint interface are complementarily configured to be joined together; and   wherein said end connections comprises a male slip luer, female slip luer, male luer lock, female luer lock or tube connection,   whereby a valve having a desired end connection on its input and a desired end connection on its output may be modularly assembled from the supply of body halves.   
   
   
       10 . The method as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein said joint interface is substantially at a midline of said valve. 
   
   
       11 . The method as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein said midline is substantially perpendicular to a center flow axis of the valve. 
   
   
       12 . The method as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said joint interface comprises an overlapping “L” shape. 
   
   
       13 . The method as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said overlapping “L” shape of said joint interface is solvent bonded for joining said inlet body half and said outlet body half along said joint interface. 
   
   
       14 . The method as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein said overlapping “L” shape of said joint interface is sonic welded for joining said inlet body half and said outlet body half along said joint interface. 
   
   
       15 . The method as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein each said interchangeable end connection is selected from the group consisting of a male slip luer, female slip luer, male luer lock, female luer lock and tube connection.