Valve cartridge for pump systems
An illustrative valve cartridge for a pump system is disclosed. In one example the valve cartridge includes a cartridge body, a mounting flange operatively coupled to the cartridge body, wherein the mounting flange is adapted to be coupled to a housing of a pump, a valve member that is adapted to sealingly engage a valve seat within the pump housing and an actuator positioned within the cartridge body, wherein the actuator is operatively coupled to the valve member via a connector and wherein the actuator is adapted for selectively moving the valve member relative to the valve seat when the valve cartridge is operatively coupled to the pump housing.
1. A valve cartridge for a pump, comprising:
a cartridge body;
a mounting flange operatively coupled to said cartridge body, said mounting flange adapted to be coupled to a housing of said pump;
a valve member that is adapted to sealingly engage a valve seat positioned within said pump;
an actuator positioned within said cartridge body, said actuator operatively coupled to said valve member via a constantly tensioned, non-rigid connector, wherein said actuator is adapted for selectively moving said valve member relative to said valve seat; and
a ball that is at least partially positioned in a recess in said valve member, said ball being operatively coupled to said connector.
2. The valve cartridge of claim 1 , further comprising said valve seat.
3. The valve cartridge of claim 2 , further comprising means for permitting said valve member to move relative to said valve seat.
4. The valve cartridge of claim 1 , further comprising a spring positioned between said cartridge body and said valve member.
5. The valve cartridge of claim 4 , wherein said spring is substantially tapered along its axial length, and wherein a smaller end of said tapered spring is positioned proximate said valve member.
6. The valve cartridge of claim 1 , wherein said actuator is a pneumatic actuator.
7. The valve cartridge of claim 1 , wherein said actuator comprises an expandable hose that is operatively coupled to said connector.
8. The valve cartridge of claim 1 , wherein said constantly tensioned, non-rigid connector is a cable.
9. The valve cartridge of claim 1 , wherein said valve member is adapted to pivot relative to said ball.
10. The valve cartridge of claim 1 , wherein said valve member is a poppet valve.
11. The valve cartridge of claim 1 , further comprising means for permitting said valve member to move relative to said ball.
12. The valve cartridge of claim 1 , wherein said valve member has a curved sealing surface that, relative to a centerline of said valve member, is an inwardly curved concave sealing surface.
13. A valve cartridge for a pump, comprising:
a cartridge body;
a mounting flange operatively coupled to said cartridge body, said mounting flange adapted to be coupled to a housing of said pump;
a valve member that is adapted to sealingly engage a valve seat positioned within said pump, wherein said valve member has a curved sealing surface that, relative to a centerline of said valve member, is an inwardly curved concave sealing surface;
an actuator positioned within said cartridge body, said actuator operatively coupled to said valve member via a constantly tensioned, non-rigid connector, wherein said actuator is adapted for selectively moving said valve member relative to said valve seat;
a ball that is at least partially positioned in a recess in said valve member, said ball being operatively coupled to said connector; and
a spring positioned between said cartridge body and said valve member.
14. The valve cartridge of claim 13 , further comprising said valve seat.
15. The valve cartridge of claim 14 , further comprising means for permitting said valve member to move relative to said valve seat.
16. The valve cartridge of claim 13 , wherein said spring is substantially tapered along its axial length, and wherein a smaller end of said tapered spring is positioned proximate said valve member.
17. The valve cartridge of claim 13 , wherein said actuator comprises an expandable hose that is operatively coupled to said non-rigid connector.
18. The valve cartridge of claim 13 , wherein said constantly tensioned, non-rigid connector is a cable.
19. The valve cartridge of claim 13 , wherein said valve member is adapted to pivot relative to said ball.
20. The valve cartridge of claim 19 , further comprising means for permitting said valve member to move relative to said ball.
21. A valve cartridge for a pump, comprising:
a cartridge body;
a mounting flange operatively coupled to said cartridge body, said mounting flange adapted to be coupled to a housing of said pump;
a valve member that is adapted to sealingly engage a valve seat positioned within said pump, wherein said valve member has a curved sealing surface that, relative to a centerline of said valve member, is an inwardly curved concave sealing surface;
an actuator positioned within said cartridge body, said actuator operatively coupled to said valve member via a constantly tensioned cable, wherein said actuator is adapted for selectively moving said valve member relative to said valve seat;
a ball that is at least partially positioned in a recess in said valve member, said ball being operatively coupled to said cable; and
a spring positioned between said cartridge body and said valve member, wherein said spring is substantially tapered along its axial length, and wherein a smaller end of said tapered spring is positioned proximate said valve member.
22. The valve cartridge of claim 21 , wherein said valve member is adapted to pivot relative to said ball.
23. The valve cartridge of claim 21 , further comprising means for permitting said valve member to move relative to said ball.
24. A valve cartridge for a pump, comprising:
a cartridge body;
a mounting flange operatively coupled to said cartridge body, said mounting flange adapted to be coupled to a housing of said pump;
a valve seat that is adapted to be positioned within the pump;
a valve member that is adapted to sealingly engage the valve seat; and
an actuator positioned within said cartridge body, said actuator operatively coupled to said valve member via a constantly tensioned, non-rigid connector, wherein said actuator is adapted for selectively moving said valve member relative to said valve seat.
25. A valve cartridge for a pump, comprising:
a cartridge body;
a mounting flange operatively coupled to said cartridge body, said mounting flange adapted to be coupled to a housing of said pump;
a valve seat that is adapted to be positioned within the pump;
a valve member that is adapted to sealingly engage the valve seat positioned within said pump, wherein said valve member has a curved sealing surface that, relative to a centerline of said valve member, is an inwardly curved concave sealing surface;
an actuator positioned within said cartridge body, said actuator operatively coupled to said valve member via a constantly tensioned, non-rigid connector, wherein said actuator is adapted for selectively moving said valve member relative to said valve seat; and
a spring positioned between said cartridge body and said valve member.