Valve for single-use applications

Abstract

A centerbody assembly for a valve includes: a centerbody having a first side which defines a process surface and an opposed second side defining a back surface, at least one inlet orifice disposed in the centerbody and adapted to be disposed in fluid communication with a fluid at a process pressure, and at least one outlet orifice disposed in the centerbody separate from the at least one inlet orifice; an inlet port disposed in fluid communication with the at least one inlet orifice; an outlet port disposed in fluid communication with the at least one outlet orifice; and a flexible control diaphragm having opposed reference and process sides, wherein the control diaphragm is positioned with the process side facing the process surface, and a perimeter of the control diaphragm is sealed to the centerbody.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A centerbody assembly for a valve, comprising:
 a centerbody having a first side which defines a process surface and an opposed second side defining a back surface, at least one inlet orifice disposed in the centerbody and adapted to be disposed in fluid communication with a fluid at a process pressure, and at least one outlet orifice disposed in the centerbody separate from the at least one inlet orifice;   an inlet port disposed in fluid communication with the at least one inlet orifice;   an outlet port disposed in fluid communication with the at least one outlet orifice; and   a flexible control diaphragm having opposed reference and process sides, wherein the control diaphragm is positioned with the process side facing the process surface, and a perimeter of the control diaphragm is sealed to the centerbody.   
     
     
         2 . A valve, comprising:
 a centerbody assembly including:
 a centerbody having a first side which defines a process surface and an opposed second side defining a back surface, at least one inlet orifice disposed in the centerbody and adapted to be disposed in fluid communication with a fluid at a process pressure, and at least one outlet orifice disposed in the centerbody separate from the at least one inlet orifice; 
 a flexible control diaphragm having opposed reference and process sides, wherein the control diaphragm is positioned with the process side facing the process surface, and a perimeter of the control diaphragm is sealed to the centerbody; 
 an inlet port disposed in fluid communication with the at least one inlet orifice; and 
 an outlet port disposed in fluid communication with the at least one outlet orifice; and 
   an enclosure assembly including a top cap adapted to be disposed in fluid communication with a fluid at a predetermined reference pressure, wherein the control diaphragm is positioned between the centerbody and the top cap, and arranged such that, when the reference pressure is higher than the process pressure the diaphragm is engaged with the outlet orifices, and when the process pressure is higher than the reference pressure, the diaphragm is not engaged with at least one of the outlet orifices.