US 11,988,295 B1
Controllable variable flow valve having pivoting foot with abutting heel
Michael Hermann Wahl, Bonita, CA (US); Patrick R. Lee, San Diego, CA (US); and Robert Michael Cram, Ramona, CA (US)
Assigned to Namara Water Technologies, Inc., San Diego, CA (US)
Filed by Namara Water Technologies, Inc., San Diego, CA (US)
Filed on Jul. 6, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/219,059.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/444,995, filed on Feb. 12, 2023.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/444,996, filed on Feb. 12, 2023.
Int. Cl. F16K 3/24 (2006.01); F16K 1/16 (2006.01); F16K 1/36 (2006.01); F16K 3/34 (2006.01); F16K 15/02 (2006.01); F16K 15/18 (2006.01); F16K 27/02 (2006.01); F16K 31/04 (2006.01); F16K 37/00 (2006.01)
CPC F16K 27/02 (2013.01) [F16K 1/16 (2013.01); F16K 1/36 (2013.01); F16K 3/246 (2013.01); F16K 3/34 (2013.01); F16K 15/025 (2013.01); F16K 15/184 (2021.08); F16K 31/04 (2013.01); F16K 37/005 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A fluid valve comprising:
a housing comprising first and second ports and defining a fluid flow path between the first and second ports, the housing including an interior cylindrically-arcuate surface that defines a center of curvature, the fluid flow path passing through at least one opening in the interior cylindrically-arcuate surface;
a foot having a bottom and a heel, the bottom facing the interior cylindrically-arcuate surface, the heel disposed transverse to the bottom, the foot extending in a radial direction away from the center of curvature, the foot pivoting within an operational angular range about the center of curvature, the bottom of the foot being configured to translate over the at least one opening in the interior cylindrically-arcuate surface, and the heel being configured to abut the second port with the foot pivoted to a closed position of the operational angular range;
wherein the interior cylindrically-arcuate surface defines a circumferential direction orthogonal to the radial direction, and the at least one opening is elongate in the circumferential direction and is disposed so that an area of overlap by the bottom of the foot over the at least one opening decreases as the foot pivots away from the closed position.