Check valve assemblies and related methods
Check valve assemblies and related methods are described. A valve assembly comprises a housing having at least a first inlet passage and an outlet passage. A flow channel is disposed within the housing, with at least a portion thereof extending inward from the first inlet passage. A first check member is disposed within the first inlet passage and is movable along the flow channel between a closed position in which the first check member is disposed against a first valve seat and an open position in which the first check member is spaced from the first valve seat. In varying examples, movement of the first check member from the closed position to the open position is unopposed. Optionally, the housing can include at least a second inlet passage wherein a second check member is disposed. In an example, the second check member is continuously biased toward a closed position.
1. A valve assembly comprising:
a housing including at least a first inlet passage and an outlet passage;
a flow channel disposed within the housing, at least a portion of the flow channel extending inward from the first inlet passage;
a first check member disposed within the first inlet passage, the first check member movable along the flow channel between a closed position in which the first check member is disposed against a first valve seat and an open position in which the first check member is spaced from the first valve seat, wherein movement of the first check member from the closed position to the open position is unopposed;
a second check member disposed within a second inlet passage of the housing, the second check member movable between a closed position in which the second check member is disposed against a second valve seat and an open position in which the second check member is spaced from the second valve seat;
wherein a diameter of the first check member is less than a diameter of the second check member;
a resilient member disposed about a common axis of the first and second valve seats, a resilient member first end operably engaged adjacent the first valve seat and a resilient member second end operably engaged with the second check member to bias the same against the second valve seat;
wherein the resilient member includes a resilient coil spring;
wherein an inner diameter of the resilient coil spring is greater than the diameter of the first check member and less than the diameter of the second check member; and
wherein the first check member is configured to move unopposed from the closed position to the open position within a lumen of the resilient coil spring.
2. The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein a cracking pressure of the first check member is less than a cracking pressure of the second check member.
3. The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first check member is configured to check fluid flow in a first direction, and the second check member is configured to check fluid flow in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction.
4. The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first check member is configured to operate independently of the second check member.
5. The valve assembly of claim 1 , comprising a seal member disposed adjacent the first valve seat.
6. The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein a requisite cracking pressure of the first check member is less than approximately 0.5 psi.
7. The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first check member is sized and shaped to sealably engage with the first valve seat to limit fluid flow out of the first inlet passage.
8. A valve assembly comprising:
a housing having at least a first and a second inlet passage and an outlet passage, the inlet passages partially defining a flow channel within the housing;
a first check member disposed in the first inlet passage, the first check member movable unopposed along the flow channel toward and away from a first valve seat;
a second check member disposed in the second inlet passage, the second check member movable along the flow channel toward and away from a second valve seat; and
a resilient member operably engaged with the second check member thereby urging the same against the second valve seat, wherein the first check member is movable within a lumen of the resilient member.
9. The valve assembly of claim 8 , wherein the first and second valve seats surround a common axis of the flow channel.
10. The valve assembly of claim 8 , wherein at least one of the first inlet passage, the second inlet passage, or the outlet passage include threads therewithin.
11. The valve assembly of claim 8 , wherein at least one of the first or second check members includes a spherical shape.
12. A method comprising:
flowing fluid in a first direction through a first inlet passage of a housing, including moving a first check member disposed in the first inlet passage away from a first valve seat in a substantially unopposed manner;
checking fluid in a second direction opposite the first direction at the first inlet passage; and
flowing fluid in a third direction through a second inlet passage of the housing, including moving a second check member disposed in the second inlet passage away from a second valve seat, the second check member movable toward and away from the second valve seat using a resilient member operably engaged with the second check member thereby urging the second check member against the second valve seat;
wherein moving the first check member away from the first valve seat in the substantially unopposed manner includes moving the first check member within a lumen of the resilient member.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein moving the second check member away from the second valve seat includes compressing at least a portion of the resilient member biased in opposition to such movement.
14. The method of claim 12 , wherein flowing fluid through the first inlet passage includes flowing fluid at a first fluid pressure, and flowing fluid through the second inlet passage includes flowing fluid at a second fluid pressure greater than the first fluid pressure.