Valve Device with Dual Directional Strainer

Abstract

A valve device with a dual directional strainer is disclosed herein. The disclosed valve device generally comprises a body including a cylindrical wall, the body having a front face, a rear face, a top face, and a bottom face; a first arm including a cylindrical wall, wherein the first arm is attached to the rear face of the body and extends perpendicularly from the rear face of the body; a second arm including a substantially cylindrical wall, wherein the second arm is attached to the bottom face of the body and extends obliquely from the bottom face of the body; a fluid passageway extending through the cylindrical walls of the first arm and the body; and a strainer member at least partially disposed within the second arm, the strainer member being arranged and configured to strain fluids flowing through the fluid passageway from the first arm through the strainer member and into the body in a first direction and to strain fluids flowing from the first arm through the strainer member and into the body in a second direction, the second direction being opposite of the first direction. The disclosed valve device may be utilized to fluidly connect a tank to an injection pump and to a gauge.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dual directional strainer comprising:
 a tubular body having a longitudinal passageway through which fluid can flow;   a tubular first arm attached to said body having a passageway through which fluid can flow;   a tubular second arm attached to said body having a passageway through which fluid can flow; and   a strainer member partially disposed in said second arm and partially disposed in said body;   wherein said strainer member is arranged and configured to simultaneously strain fluids flowing through said first arm and into said body in a first direction and to strain fluids flowing through said first arm and into said body in a second direction.   
     
     
         2 . The dual directional strainer according to  claim 1 , wherein said body includes:
 a front face;   a rear face which faces opposite said front face, wherein said first arm is attached to said rear face;   a top face; and   a bottom face which faces opposite said top face, wherein said second arm is attached to said bottom face.   
     
     
         3 . The dual directional strainer according to  claim 1 , wherein said first arm extends perpendicularly from said body and said second arm extends obliquely from said body. 
     
     
         4 . The dual directional strainer according to  claim 1 , further comprising a first end and a second end on opposite ends of said body, wherein said strainer member simultaneously strains fluids flowing toward said first end of said body and toward said second end of said body. 
     
     
         5 . The dual directional strainer according to  claim 1 , wherein said second arm comprises a second arm outlet for removing said strainer member disposed within said second arm. 
     
     
         6 . The dual directional strainer according to  claim 5 , wherein said second arm further includes a plug member that releasably seals off said second arm outlet. 
     
     
         7 . The dual directional strainer according to  claim 1 , wherein said strainer member comprises:
 a frame; and   one or more layers of mesh mounted to said frame, said mesh having openings adapted to pass fluid flowing through said dual directional strainer while simultaneously filtering out particulates.   
     
     
         8 . The dual directional strainer according to  claim 1 , wherein said first arm is arranged and configured with said second arm to form an angle that ranges from 45 degrees to 179 degrees. 
     
     
         9 . The dual directional strainer according to  claim 1 , wherein said dual directional strainer is arranged and configured to strain fluids via gravity flow. 
     
     
         10 . The dual directional strainer according to  claim 1 , wherein said second arm is attached to said first arm. 
     
     
         11 . A valve device comprising:
 a tubular body having a longitudinal passageway through which fluid can flow;   a tubular first arm attached to said body having a passageway through which fluid can flow;   a tubular second arm attached to said body having a passageway through which fluid can flow; and   a strainer member partially disposed in said second arm and partially disposed in said body.