Quarter-turn diaphragm valve

Abstract

A quarter-turn valve includes a valve body having an inlet, an outlet, and a diaphragm adjacent arranged in said valve body for movement between a closed and opened position for restricting and controlling fluid flow. The valve further includes an input shaft for receiving a torsional input load in a closing direction and a torsional input load in an opposite opening direction. A cam is mounted on the input shaft. The cam transforms input loads to linear output loads that flex the diaphragm between its closed and opened positions.

1 . A tote system comprising: 
 a container having an outlet; and    a quarter-turn cam-operated valve connected to said outlet for controlling flow from said container.    
   
   
       2 . The tote system of  claim 1 , wherein said valve is mounted on the bottom of said container and includes an input shaft rotatable through 90°, and a flexible diaphragm operatively connected to said input shaft by a cam for movement between a valve open and a valve closed position when said input shaft is rotated from one position to another position spaced 90° there from.  
   
   
       3 . The tote system of  claim 2  wherein 
 said cam comprises a plate formed with an arcuate surface having a length of about 90°; and a compressor fixed to said diaphragm, said compressor including a bushing cooperating with said arcuate surface for transforming the rotation of said impact shaft to linear loads that moves said diaphragm between its open and closed positions.    
   
   
       4 . The tote system of  claim 3 , wherein said cam comprises: 
 a plate rotatably mounted on said input shaft, said plate formed with an arcuate slot having a length of about 90°; and wherein    a bushing sleeve is slidably positioned in said slot, said bushing sleeve being rotatably mounted on a roller pin connected to said compressor.    
   
   
       5 . The tote system of  claim 2  including a compressor fixed to said diaphragm, said cam and said compressor being operatively arranged to move said diaphragm between its open and closed positions when said cam moves through about 90°.