Disc check valve

This application is a continuation of pending application Ser. No. 11/337,822, filed Jan. 23, 2006, which is a continuation-in-part patent application of U.S. Pat. No. 6,988,510 issued Jan. 24, 2006 which claims the benefit of provisional application No. 60/366,590, filed Mar. 22, 2002, the disclosure of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to check valves. More particularly, this invention relates to check valves for fluids employing a free-floating disc that allows fluid flow in an unchecked direction with a minimal increase in fluid pressure and turbulence while maximizing the rate of fluid flow through the valve.

2. Description of the Background Art

Presently, there exist many types of disc valves that employ a free-floating disc that seats in a checked direction of fluid flow and unseats in an unchecked direction. Optimal designs of disc valves seek to minimize the increase in fluid pressure in the unchecked fluid flow direction, minimize turbulence within the valve and maximize the rate of fluid flow through the valve. It is an object of this invention to provide an improvement that is a significant contribution to the advancement of the disc valve art.

Another object of this invention is to provide a disc valve having a maximum fluid flow rate.

Another object of this invention is to provide a disc valve having a minimal dimensional package size.

Another object of this invention is to provide a disc valve having a minimal tendency of the seal disc to stick in the open or closed position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a disc valve having a minimal seal disc deformation under differential pressure loads.

Another object of this invention is to provide a disc valve having minimal fluid turbulence through the valve.

Another object of this invention is to provide a disc valve having high differential seal pressures.

Another object of this invention is to provide a disc valve having a high ultimate burst pressure.

Another object of this invention is to provide a disc valve having an improved kinematic action of the seal disc.

Another object of this invention is to provide a disc valve composed of modular components to enable various assemblies of end connections.

Another object of this invention is to provide a disc valve having an improved ergonomic design of the valve body/housing.

Another object of this invention is to provide a disc valve having a simplicity of components.

Another object of this invention is to provide a disc valve capable of being consistently and durably manufactured/molded and assembled at a low manufactured cost.

Another object of this invention is to provide a disc valve that is particularly suited for liquid applications, but that may be employed in limited gas media applications.

Another object of this invention is to provide a disc valve that is particularly suited for human blood and blood products applications.