Valve for controlling the flow of fluid
A valve is provided for controlling the flow of fluid through a valve block. The valve block has a fluid inlet port, a fluid outlet port, and a receiving bore for receiving the valve. The receiving bore hydraulically connects the fluid inlet and outlet ports, and has a central axis. The valve comprises a valve seat for placement between the fluid inlet and outlet ports, wherein the valve seat comprises a central axis which coincides with the central axis of the receiving bore, and wherein the valve seat further comprises an upper end overmolded by a valve seat attachment end of a plastic valve housing. The valve also includes a tube which comprises a central axis which coincides with the central axis of the receiving bore, wherein the tube further comprises a lower end overmolded by a tube attachment end of the valve housing.
1 . A valve for controlling the flow of fluid through a valve block, said valve block having a fluid inlet port, a fluid outlet port, and a receiving bore for receiving said valve, wherein said receiving bore hydraulically connects said fluid inlet and outlet ports, said receiving bore having a central axis, wherein said valve comprises:
a valve seat for placement between said fluid inlet and outlet ports, wherein said valve seat comprises a central axis which coincides with said central axis of said receiving bore, wherein said valve seat further comprises an upper end overmolded by a valve seat attachment end of a plastic valve housing; and
a tube comprising a central axis which coincides with said central axis of said receiving bore, wherein said tube further comprises a lower end overmolded by a tube attachment end of said valve housing.
2 . The valve as in claim 1 wherein said valve seat further comprises a locking means for engaging said upper end of said valve seat with said valve seat attachment end of said valve housing.
3 . The valve as in claim 2 wherein said locking means comprises an undercut in said valve seat.
4 . The valve as in claim 1 wherein said tube further comprises a locking means for engaging said lower end of said tube with said tube attachment end of said valve housing.
5 . The valve as in claim 4 wherein said locking means comprises a flange.
6 . The valve as in claim 5 wherein said flange comprises one or more through holes.
7 . The valve as in claim 1 wherein said valve housing comprises a passage hydraulically connecting an outer surface of said valve housing to an inner surface of said valve housing.
8 . The valve as in claim 1 wherein said valve housing comprises a sealing means for sealing said valve housing against said valve block.
9 . The valve as in claim 8 wherein said sealing means comprises a flexible skirt extending downward from a valve locating surface of said valve housing.
10 . A valve and valve block assembly for controlling the flow of fluid, wherein said valve and valve block assembly comprises:
a valve block comprising a fluid inlet port, a fluid outlet port, and a receiving bore for receiving a valve, wherein said receiving bore hydraulically connects said fluid inlet and outlet ports, said receiving bore further comprising a central axis; and
a valve comprising:
a valve seat for placement between said fluid inlet and outlet ports, wherein said valve seat comprises a central axis which coincides with said central axis of said receiving bore, wherein said valve seat further comprises an upper end overmolded by a valve seat attachment end of a plastic valve housing; and
a tube comprising a central axis which coincides with said central axis of said receiving bore, wherein said tube further comprises a lower end overmolded by a tube attachment end of said valve housing.
11 . The valve and valve block assembly as in claim 10 wherein said valve seat further comprises a locking means for engaging said upper end of said valve seat with said valve seat attachment end of said valve housing.
12 . The valve and valve block assembly as in claim 11 wherein said locking means comprises an undercut in said valve seat.
13 . The valve and valve block assembly as in claim 10 wherein said tube further comprises a locking means for engaging said lower end of said tube with said tube attachment end of said valve housing.
14 . The valve and valve block assembly as in claim 13 wherein said locking means comprises a flange.
15 . The valve and valve block assembly as in claim 14 wherein said flange comprises at least one through hole.
16 . The valve and valve block assembly as in claim 10 wherein said valve housing comprises a passage hydraulically connecting an outer surface of said valve housing to an inner surface of said valve housing.
17 . The valve and valve block assembly as in claim 10 wherein said valve housing comprises a sealing means for sealing said valve housing against said valve block.
18 . A valve and valve block assembly as in claim 17 wherein said sealing means comprises a flexible skirt extending downward from a valve locating surface of said valve housing.