Rotary plate valve having seal anti-herniation structure

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021052084-A1
Application number	US-202017092455-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 9, 2020
Priority date	Apr 10, 2017
Publication date	Feb 25, 2021
Grant date	—

Abstract

A mattress overlay apparatus is provided for use with a mattress. The mattress overlay apparatus includes an overlay configured for placement atop the mattress and having a plurality of inflatable bladders, a blower, and first and second rotary plate valves pneumatically coupled to the plurality of bladders and the blower. The first and second rotary plate valves are arranged in series between the plurality of bladders and the blower. The first and second rotary plate valves and the blower are operated to provide the overlay with percussion and vibration (P&V), left and right turn assist, and microclimate management (MCM) functionality.

First claim

1 . A valve apparatus comprising
a valve body, a rotary plate coupled to the valve body for rotation, and a seal in contact with the rotary plate, the rotary plate having a hole formed therethough and an anti-herniation appendage situated in the hole, the anti-herniation appendage preventing herniation of the seal as the rotary plate rotates the hole across at least a portion of the seal.

2 . The valve apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the seal comprises an annular seal.

3 . The valve apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising a spring arranged to bias the annular seal against the rotary plate.

4 . The valve apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the spring comprises a coil spring that is compressed between the annular seal and a portion of the valve body.

5 . The valve apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the annular seal comprises a cup seal.

6 . The valve apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the anti-herniation appendage comprises a bar that extends across the hole to define two hole portions.

7 . The valve apparatus of claim 6 , wherein at least a portion of the bar is curved.

8 . The valve apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a stepper motor coupled to the valve body and operable to rotate the rotary plate.

9 . The valve apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the valve body comprises a main body having a cylindrical chamber in which the rotary plate is situated and a cover that attaches to the main body.

10 . The valve apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the cover has a cylindrical projection that extends into the cylindrical chamber of the main body.

11 . The valve apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the cover has four passages therethrough that communicate pneumatically with the cylindrical chamber and wherein the hole in the rotary plate aligns with a respective passage of the four passages as the rotary plate rotates.

12 . The valve apparatus of claim 11 , wherein centers of the four passages are spaced apart by about 90 degrees from each other with respect to a plate axis about which the rotary plate rotates.

13 . The valve apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the seal comprises a first annular seal that is aligned with a first passage of the plurality of passages and further comprising second, third, and fourth annular seals that are aligned with respective second, third, and fourth passages of the four passages, respectively.

14 . The valve apparatus of claim 13 , further comprising first, second, third, and fourth springs that are arranged to bias the first, second, third, and fourth annular seals, respectively, against the rotary plate.

15 . The valve apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the first, second, third, and fourth springs each comprise a coil spring that is compressed between the first, second, third, and fourth annular seals, respectively, and a portion of the cover.

16 . The valve apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising four tubes, each tube being received by a respective passage of the four passages and extending from the cover away from the main body.

17 . The valve apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the four tubes extend from the cover in a substantially parallel manner.

18 . The valve apparatus of claim 11 , wherein each passage of the four passages is cylindrical.

19 . The valve apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the rotary plate comprises a circular disk and wherein the valve body includes a cylindrical cavity in which the rotary plate is situated.

20 . The valve apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the seal is also situated in the cylindrical cavity of the valve body.

Assignees

• Hill Rom Services Inc

Inventors

• Ye Chau Chong
• Wang Yue
• Barilea Deny D
• Williams Joshua A
• Venkataraya Suresha
• Ramesh Amodh Gundlur
• Wagner Catherine
• Hoksbergen Michael
• Lacy Graham K

Classifications

• A61G7/05776 Primary

  with at least two groups of alternately inflated chambers · CPC title

• A61G7/05784

  with ventilating means, e.g. mattress or cushion with ventilating holes or ventilators · CPC title

• A47C27/083 Primary

  with pressure control, e.g. with pressure sensors · CPC title

• A61G2203/20

  Displays or monitors · CPC title

• A47C21/006

  Oscillating, balancing or vibrating mechanisms connected to the bedstead · CPC title