High aspiration valve design for piston pumps or compressors

Abstract

A high aspiration compound valve enabling controlled fluid flow from a piston pump. It is comprised of a somewhat cylindrical housing containing a compound valve seat body creating a seal with either a suction valve or a discharge valve based upon the position of the piston's stroke within the housing. Fluid is drawn in during the down stroke of the piston through the open suction valve concentrically placed around the center housing cavity. The fluid is then pumped through the housing by the piston and utilizes a direct in-line discharge valve.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A valve assembly for a positive displacement piston/plunger pump comprising: 
 (a.) a valve body comprising first, second, and third coaxially aligned, longitudinally displaced, interconnected ring members, each of a predetermined diameter, the first ring member and a bottom surface of the second ring member defining a first valve seat with an annular gap therebetween and a further surface of the second ring member defining a second valve seat;    (b.) a valve housing having a cavity for receiving the valve body therein, the valve housing having a piston/plunger receiving bore formed coaxially with said cavity and with an inlet port in fluid communication with the annular gap;    (c.) a suction poppet disposed in the cavity and adapted to seal against the first valve seat at the termination of a suction stroke of a piston/plunger moving in the piston/plunger receiving bore;    (d.) a discharge poppet mounted within the third ring member for sealing against the further valve seat at the termination of a discharge stroke of a piston/plunger moving in the piston/plunger receiving bore in the valve housing; and    (e.) a discharge chamber having a discharge port formed therein, the discharge chamber being in fluid communication with the piston/plunger receiving bore during the discharge stroke.    
     
     
         2 . The valve assembly as recited in  claim 1 , further including a retaining cap aligned concentrically and placed in surrounding relation to the discharge poppet, said cap defining the discharge chamber and discharge port.  
     
     
         3 . The valve assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the suction poppet allows free flow of a fluid to be pumped into the housing piston/plunger receiving bore during the suction stroke of the piston/plunger over 360 degrees.  
     
     
         4 . The valve assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the discharge poppet, allows for relative unobstructed flow from the cylinders during the discharge stroke of the piston/plunger.  
     
     
         5 . The valve assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein the second and third ring members are joined by a continuous, integrally formed wall.  
     
     
         6 . The valve assembly as in  claim 5 , wherein the first and second ring members are held together in coaxial relation by circumferentially spaced ribs therebetween.  
     
     
         7 . The valve assembly as in  claim 1 , and further including a compression spring cooperating between the suction poppet and the valve housing for urging the suction poppet against the first valve seat at the termination of the suction stroke.  
     
     
         8 . The valve assembly as in  claim 1 , and further including a compression spring cooperating with the discharge poppet for urging the discharge poppet against the further valve seat at the termination of the discharge stroke.  
     
     
         9 . The valve assembly as in  claim 7 , wherein the suction poppet comprises a tube having first and second ends, the first end being an inwardly directed portion conforming in shape to the first valve seat, the compression spring disposed within said tube and engaging the inwardly directed portion.  
     
     
         10 . The valve assembly as in  claim 8 , wherein the discharge poppet comprises a cylindrical tube having one open end and one closed end and an outside diameter that provides a predetermined clearance fit with an inner diameter of said third ring.  
     
     
         11 . The valve assembly as in  claim 10 , wherein the compression spring fits within the cylindrical tube.  
     
     
         12 . The valve assembly in  claim 1 , wherein the suction poppet comprises a flat, annular disk.  
     
     
         13 . The valve assembly as in  claim 8  wherein the discharge poppet comprises a cylindrical head having a chamfered periphery and a centrally disposed stem member projecting outwardly from the head, said compression spring disposed in surrounding relation to the stem member.  
     
     
         14 . The valve assembly as in  claim 13  wherein the stem member slides in a guide bore in said discharge chamber.