Electric Motor Actuated Stop and Self-Closing Check Valve

Abstract

An electric motor actuated stop/check valve for industrial use such as liquid pumping systems which has a controlled opening and closing rate when liquid flow is in a forward direction but closes quickly upon reverse flow of liquid with no action from the electric motor actuator. Actuation of the valve is by an electric motor which provides movement to an actuator rod which contacts the disc stem. The disc stem and the actuator rod are not connected which allows the valve disc and disc stem free movement. No action by the electric motor is required. A spring biasing the valve disc toward the closed position and a hydraulically operated valve closing-speed regulator reduces or eliminates slamming of the valve disc against the valve seat. In a preferred method of operation liquid surge pressure transients are reduced or eliminated and slamming of valve components is prevented.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . An electric motor actuated stop and self-closing check valve, comprising:
 a valve body having an inlet port and an outlet port;   a valve seat intermediate the inlet port and the outlet port;   a valve disc having a disc stein, the valve disc being moveable toward and away from the valve seat along a direction of a longitudinal axis of the disc stem;   an electric motor with an actuator rod moveable by action of the electric motor, the actuator rod having an extended position whereat the valve disc is moved to sealingly engage with the valve seat and a retracted position whereat the valve disc is free to move toward and away from the valve seat according to a flow of a fluid through the valve body; and   a spring configured for providing a bias to the valve disc toward the valve seat.   
     
     
         21 . The electric motor actuated stop and self-closing check valve according to  claim 20 , wherein the spring is positioned between the valve stem and the electric motor. 
     
     
         22 . The electric motor actuated stop and self-closing check valve according to  claim 20 , wherein the valve disc is removably secured to the valve stem. 
     
     
         23 . The electric motor actuated stop and self-closing check valve according to  claim 20 , wherein the valve body includes an opening configured to allow insertion and removal of the valve disc. 
     
     
         24 . The electric motor actuated stop and self-closing check valve according to  claim 23 , further comprising a valve body cover covering the valve body opening. 
     
     
         25 . The electric motor actuated stop and self-closing check valve according to  claim 24 , wherein the disc stem at least partially extends through the valve body cover. 
     
     
         26 . The electric motor actuated stop and self-closing check valve according to  claim 25 , wherein the electric motor is disposed outside of the covered valve body. 
     
     
         27 . The electric motor actuated stop and self-closing check valve according to  claim 26 , wherein the electric motor is attached to the valve body cover. 
     
     
         28 . A method of controlling a flow of a fluid through a valve, comprising:
 providing an electric motor actuated stop and self-closing check valve installed to function as a pump control and stop check valve, comprising:
 a valve body having an inlet port and an outlet port; 
 a valve seat intermediate the inlet port and the outlet port; 
 a valve disc having a disc stem, the valve disc being moveable toward and away from the valve seat along a direction of a longitudinal axis of the disc stem; 
 an electric motor with an actuator rod moveable by action of the electric motor, the actuator rod having an extended position whereat the valve disc is moved to sealingly engage with the valve seat and a retracted position whereat the valve disc is free to move toward and away from the valve seat according to a flow of a fluid through the valve body; and 
 a spring configured for providing a bias to the valve disc toward the valve seat; and 
   coordinating the operation of the valve and a pump to start the pump and extend and retract the actuator rod using the electric motor to avoid liquid surge pressure transients and slamming of check valve components during pumping start-up and termination.   
     
     
         29 . The electric motor actuated stop and self-closing check valve according to  claim 20 , further comprising a hydraulically operated valve disc closing-speed regulator operatively attached to the valve to control the closing speed of the valve disc;
 wherein said closing-speed regulator comprises:
 a cylinder operatively attached to the valve body, 
 a piston operatively attached to the disc stem for movement within said cylinder along its longitudinal axis, and 
 a hydraulic oil reservoir with connecting piping to the cylinder, 
 said connecting piping having a solenoid valve and a flow regulating valve, 
 said solenoid valve and said flow regulating valve being piped in parallel arrangement. 
   
     
     
         30 . The electric motor actuated stop and self-closing check valve according to  claim 29 , wherein said flow regulating valve is a check valve. 
     
     
         31 . The method of controlling a flow of a fluid through a valve according to  claim 28 , further comprising a hydraulically operated valve disc closing-speed regulator operatively attached to the valve to control the closing speed of the valve disc;
 wherein said closing-speed regulator comprises:
 a cylinder operatively attached to the valve body, 
 a piston operatively attached to the disc stein for movement within said cylinder along its longitudinal axis, and 
 a hydraulic oil reservoir with connecting piping to the cylinder, 
 said connecting piping having a solenoid valve and a flow regulating valve, 
 said solenoid valve and said flow regulating valve being piped in parallel arrangement. 
   
     
     
         32 . The method of controlling a flow of a fluid through a valve according to  claim 31 , wherein said flow regulating valve is a check valve.