US 11,970,845 B2
Valve for controlling water flow and for improving water meter health and readings
Fabian Mauricio Barreda, Miami, FL (US)
Assigned to BUDDERFLY, INC, Shelton, CT (US)
Filed by Budderfly, Inc., Shelton, CT (US)
Filed on Apr. 19, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/723,653.
Application 17/723,653 is a continuation of application No. 15/946,449, filed on Apr. 5, 2018, granted, now 11,313,109.
Prior Publication US 2022/0373377 A1, Nov. 24, 2022
Int. Cl. E03B 7/07 (2006.01); F16K 15/06 (2006.01); G01F 15/00 (2006.01)
CPC E03B 7/075 (2013.01) [E03B 7/072 (2013.01); F16K 15/063 (2013.01); G01F 15/005 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for reducing the amount of air in a fluid as the fluid passes through a water meter in communication with a fluid line that the fluid is traveling through, said method comprising the steps of:
(a) positioning a valve within a fluid line adjacent a water meter in communication with the fluid line, the valve having a valve body with a spring and contact member disposed within a non-linear internal passageway extending form a first end of the valve body to a second opposite end of the valve body wherein the non-linear internal passageway comprises first and second sections with a third section between the first and second sections wherein the non-linear shape of the internal passageway causes water running through the valve to have to turn from the first section into the third section and then turn again from the third section to the second section; and
(b) reducing an amount of air volume within the fluid as the fluid passes through the water meter by contacting the fluid with the internal contact member of the valve which is positioned in the third section, the internal contact member is biased by a spring and the internal contact member moves along an axis of the third section.