TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The presently disclosed subject matter relates in general to the field of fluid pipe hubs, and in particular to fluid pipe hub for an inline coupling of one or more fluid accessories to a pipe system.

BACKGROUND

In a pipe system, there is a need to couple one or more fluid accessories to a piping of the system in a convenient manner, in order to perform different functions related to the fluid (e.g., regulating pressure, performing measurements, filtering, controlling, etc.). For this purpose, a fluid pipe hub can be used. The fluid pipe hub usually includes an inlet, an outlet and at least one port for coupling the fluid accessories thereto. Such a hub can be configured with a valve (e.g., a ball valve) for opening the fluid flow through and stopping the fluid flow when the fluid accessories should be treated, retrofitted, replaced, or disassembled.

The term fl ' uid accessory' refers hereinafter in the specification and the claims to an accessory for use with a fluid pipe system for applications such as fluid control, fluid measurement and fluid treatment. The fluid accessory can be, for example, valve (e.g., ball valve, electric valve), fluid meter, sensing system, pressure control accessory (e.g., pressure guard, pressure reducing valve), pressure regulating valve, leak detection device, water softener, end cup, check valve, filter (e.g., mesh filter).

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

According to one aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter there is disclosed a fluid pipe hub for coupling one or more fluid accessories to a pipeline. The fluid pipe hub comprises:

a housing configured with an inlet connectable to a first pipe segment, an outlet connectable to a second pipe segment, a first port connectable to a fluid port of a first fluid accessory, a second port connectable to a fluid port of a second fluid accessory, and a valve fitting disposed within said housing and having a junction chamber formed therein, said junction chamber being in fluid communication with said first port, said second port, said inlet and said outlet;

a valve member disposed within said junction chamber and configured with a first fluid passage and a second fluid passage; and

a valve manipulator configured for selectively displacing the valve member between at least two positions: an open position in which said inlet is in fluid communication with said first port via said first fluid passage, thereby establishing a first fluid path therebetween, and said outlet is in fluid communication with said second port via said second fluid passage, thereby establishing a second fluid path therebetween; and a closed position in which fluid communication between said inlet and said outlet is precluded.

When the first and the second fluid accessories are coupled to the fluid pipe hub of the presently disclosed subject matter, in the open position of the valve member, fluid flows from the inlet through the first fluid path towards first fluid accessory, from the first fluid accessory to the second fluid accessory (via an independent passage formed within the fluid pipe hub, or by direct connection between an outlet of the first fluid accessory and an inlet of the second fluid accessory), and back from second fluid accessory through the second flow path towards the outlet.

It is appreciated that more than one fluid accessory can be serially coupled to the first port and/or to the second port, such that the fluid flow is directed therethrough, without having to directly and separately coupling each of the fluid accessories to the pipeline. According to a particular example, a fluid accessory in the form of a check valve having an upper port and a lower port can be coupled to the fluid pipe hub by coupling the upper port of the check valve to the first port of the fluid pipe hub. The lower port can be used for coupling thereto a fluid accessory in the form of a filter. It should be indicated that the filter can also be coupled to the first port directly, i.e., with the check valve therebetween. According to this example, a fluid accessory in the form of a pressure reducing valve can be coupled to the second port. When the check valve, the filter and the pressure reducing valve are coupled to the fluid pipe hub, and the valve member is in its open position, fluid can flow from the inlet via the fluid pipe hub to the check valve, from the check valve to the filter, from the filter via the fluid pipe hub to the pressure regulating valve, and from the pressure reducing valve to the outlet. It is further appreciated that the first fluid accessory and/or the second fluid accessory can be an end cup, configured only for directing fluid without performing any additional function.

Displacement of the valve member to its closed position allows shutting off fluid flow to all the fluid accessories coupled to the fluid pipe hub in a one shut off action. This is opposed to an example in which serially coupled fluid accessories are coupled to each other and having two shut off valves, one at the inlet of a first fluid accessory and one at the outlet of a last fluid accessory. In other words, by one shut off action (i.e., displacement of the valve member to its closed position), fluid communication between the inlet and the fluid accessories coupled to the hub is precluded, and in addition, fluid communication between the outlet and the fluid accessories is also precluded, simultaneously.

The housing can further be configured with a bypass fluid passage, and the valve member can further be displaceable to a bypass position in which the inlet is in fluid communication with the outlet via the first fluid passage, via the bypass fluid passage and via the second fluid passage, thereby establishing a bypass fluid path therebetween.

In the bypass position, the fluid flow does not reach any of the fluid accessories coupled to the first and the second ports. This allows the fluid flow to pass through the fluid pipe hub, from the inlet to the outlet, without entering into the fluid accessories coupled thereto. Since in the bypass position, no fluid pressure exists in the first and the second ports of the fluid pipe hub, the fluid accessories thereof can be treated, retrofitted, replaced, or disassembled. It is appreciated that in the closed position or the bypass position of the valve member, fluid pipe hub allows easily treating, retrofitting, replacing, and disassembling the fluid accessories of the fluid pipe hub without having to make any changes in pipeline or elements thereof.

Displacement of the valve member to its bypass position (as displacement thereof to the closed position) allows shutting off fluid flow to all the fluid accessories coupled to the fluid pipe hub in a one shut off action. This is opposed to an example in which serially coupled fluid accessories are coupled to each other and having two shut off valves, one at the inlet of a first fluid accessory and one at the outlet of a last fluid accessory. In other words, by one shut off action (i.e., displacement of the valve member to its bypass position), fluid communication between the inlet and the fluid accessories coupled to the hub is precluded, and in addition, fluid communication between the outlet and the fluid accessories is also precluded, simultaneously. However, in this position, fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet is preserved.

Any one or more of the features, designs and configurations below can be incorporated in the fluid pipe hub according to the presently disclosed subject matter, independently or in various combinations thereof.

The housing can be configured with a third fluid passage extending between the first port and the second port, and establishing a third fluid path therebetween, which is independent from the junction chamber. In the open position of the valve member, the third fluid path can be configured for establishing fluid communication between the first fluid path and the second fluid path.

The third fluid passage can be disposed between an outer wall of the valve fitting and an inner wall of the housing.

The valve fitting can be configured with a first sub-port establishing fluid communication between the first port and the junction chamber, a second sub-port establishing fluid communication between the second port and the junction chamber, a inlet port for establishing fluid communication between the inlet and the junction chamber, and a outlet port for establishing fluid communication between the outlet and the junction chamber.

The first sub-port can be configured with a first sub-port inlet formed at a chamber surface defining said junction chamber, and a first sub-port outlet having a first annular rim for sealingly engaging an inlet of the first fluid accessory.

The second sub-port can be configured with a second sub-port inlet having an a second annular rim for sealingly engaging an outlet of the second fluid accessory, and a second sub-port outlet formed at said chamber surface.

The fluid pipe hub can further comprise an inlet mounting member having an inlet fluid passage formed therein. The inlet mounting member is configured for mounting the valve fitting to the housing and establishing the fluid communication between the inlet and the inlet port.

The fluid pipe hub can further comprise an outlet mounting member having an outlet passage formed therein. The outlet mounting member is configured for mounting the valve fitting to the housing and establishing the fluid communication between the outlet and the outlet port. The fluid pipe hub can further comprise at least one lateral mounting member extending through the third fluid passage, configured for mounting the valve fitting to the housing.

The valve manipulator can have a first end external to the housing, a second end coupled to the valve member, and a body portion extending therebetween and accommodated within the lateral coupling member.

The bypass fluid passage can be formed at at least one of: the valve fitting, the valve member, or a combination thereof.

The bypass fluid passage can be extending within the valve member.

The bypass fluid passage can be extending within the valve fitting.

The bypass fluid passage can be a longitudinal recess formed in a chamber surface defining said junction chamber.

The first fluid passage and the second fluid passage can be both extending through the valve member.

The first fluid passage and the second fluid passage can be independent from each other.

The first fluid passage and the second fluid passage can be symmetrical with respect to a center of the valve member.

The valve member can have a spherical shape or a cylindrical shape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1A is an isometric view of a fluid pipe hub in its open position, in accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter;

Fig. IB is a cross-sectional view taken along plane A-A of Fig. 1A;

Fig. 1C is a cross-sectional view taken along plane B-B of Fig. 1A;

Fig. ID is a cross-sectional view taken along plane C-C of Fig. 1A;

Fig. IE is a cross-sectional view taken along plane D-D of the fluid pipe hub of Fig. 1A; Fig. 2A is an isometric view of the fluid pipe hub of Fig. 1A, in its bypass position;

Fig. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along plane E-E of the fluid pipe hub of Fig. 2A;

Fig. 2C is the fluid pipe hub of Fig. 2B, with the ball member removed therefrom;

Fig. 2D is a cross-sectional view taken along plane F-F of the fluid pipe hub of Fig. 2A;

Fig. 2E is the ball member of Fig. 2D;

Fig. 2F is the ball member of Fig. 2A;

Fig. 2G is a bottom view of the ball member of Fig. 2F;

Fig. 3A is an isometric view of the fluid pipe hub of Fig. 1A, in its closed position;

Fig. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along plane G-G of the fluid pipe hub of Fig. 3A;

Fig. 4A is the fluid pipe hub of Fig. 1A with a check valve, a filter and a pressure reducing valve coupled thereto;

Fig. 4B is a disassembled view of the elements shown in Fig. 4A;

Fig. 4C is a cross-sectional view taken along plane H-H of the fluid pipe hub of Fig. 4A;

Fig. 4D is a cross-sectional view taken along plane I-I of the fluid pipe hub of Fig. 4A;

Fig. 5A is the fluid pipe hub of Fig. 1A with an end cup and a pressure reducing valve coupled thereto;

Fig. 5B is cross-sectional view taken along plane J-J of the fluid pipe hub of Fig. 5A; and

Fig. 5C is cross-sectional view taken along plane K-K of the fluid pipe hub of Fig. 5A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The drawings are illustrating a fluid pipe hub 1 in accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter. The fluid pipe hub 1 is configured with a valve member in the form of a ball member 60 having the following three positions: an open position (shown in Figs. 1A-1E, 4A-4D and 5A-5C), a bypass position (shown in Figs. 2A-2G) and a closed position (shown in Figs. 3A and 3B). The description below is first made with respect to the fluid pipe hub 1 in its above three position, without any fluid accessories coupled thereto (Figs. 1A-1E, 2A-2G, 3A and 3B), and after that, to the fluid pipe hub 1 with fluid accessories coupled thereto (Figs. 4A-4D and 5A-5C).

Reference is now directed to Figs. 1A-1E, in which the fluid pipe hub 1 is shown with the ball member 60 in its open position. The fluid pipe hub 1 is configured with a housing 10, the ball member 60 and a valve manipulator in the form of a first manipulator member 70 and a second manipulator member 72, both mounted to the ball member 60 for rotatably displacing the ball member 60 between its open position, bypass position and closed position, as detailed below. The housing 10 is configured with an inlet 12 connectable to a first pipe segment 13 (shown in Fig. 4A-4D and 5A- 5C), an outlet 14 connectable to a second pipe segment 15 (shown in Fig. 4A-4D and 5A-5C), a first port 20 connectable to a fluid port of a first fluid accessory, a second port 30 connectable to a fluid port of a second fluid accessory, and a valve fitting 40 disposed within the housing 10. The valve fitting 40 includes therein a junction chamber 42 defined by a chamber surface 43 (shown in Figs. 1C and 2C). The ball member 60 is accommodated within the junction chamber 42. In particular, the valve fitting 40 is a four-way fitting configured with the following sub-ports establishing fluid communication between the valve chamber 42 and the first port 20, the second port 30, the inlet 12 and the outlet 14: a first sub-port 22, a second sub-port 32, a inlet port 44 and a outlet port 48.

The first sub-port 22, the second sub-port 32, the inlet port 44 and the outlet port 48 are establishing fluid communication between the junction chamber 42 and each one of the elements: the first port 20, the second port 30, the inlet 12 and the outlet 14, respectively.

The first sub-port 22 is configured with a first sub-port inlet 23 formed at the chamber surface 43, and a first sub-port outlet 24 defined by a first annular rim 25 configured for sealingly engaging an inlet port of the first fluid accessory. The second sub-port 32 is configured with a second sub-port inlet 34 defined by a second annular rim 35 configured for sealingly engaging an outlet port of the second fluid accessory, and a second sub-port outlet 33 formed at the chamber surface 43. The inlet port 44 and the outlet port 48 are also formed at the chamber surface 43. The valve fitting 40 is mounted to the housing 10 by the following four members: an inlet mounting member 45, an outlet mounting member 49, a first lateral mounting member 54 and a second lateral mounting member 56.

The inlet mounting member 45 (shown in Figs. IB and IE) is a longitudinal hollow member having an inlet fluid passage 45a formed therein. The inlet mounting member 45 is extending between the inlet 12 and the inlet port 44, thereby mounting the valve fitting 40 to the housing 10 and establishing the fluid communication between the inlet 12 and the inlet port 44.

The outlet mounting member 49 (shown in Figs. IB and IE) is a longitudinal hollow member having an outlet fluid passage 49a formed therein. The outlet mounting member 49 is extending between the outlet 14 and the outlet port 48, thereby mounting the valve fitting 40 to the housing 10 and establishing the fluid communication between the outlet 14 and the outlet port 48.

The first lateral mounting member 54 (shown in Figs. 1C and IE) is extending between an interior housing wall 11 of the housing 10 and an exterior fitting wall 41 of the valve fitting 40, thereby mounting the valve fitting 40 to the housing 10. The first lateral mounting member 54 is configured with a first channel 55. The second lateral mounting member 56 (shown in Figs. 1C and IE) is disposed at the opposite side of the valve fitting 10, and is extending between the interior housing wall 11 and the exterior fitting wall 41, thereby mounting the valve fitting 40 to the housing 10. The second lateral mounting member 56 is configured with a second channel 57.

The ball member 60 is configured first a first recess 62 and a second recess 64 (shown in Figs. 1C, IE, 2F and 2G).

The first manipulator member 70 is configured with a first end 71a, a second end 71b, and a body portion 71 disposed therebetween. The body portion 71 is extending through the first channel 55 between an exterior of the housing 10 at which the first end 71a is disposed and an interior of the valve fitting 40 at which the second end 71b is disposed. The second end 71b is fixedly received within the first recess 62. The second manipulator member 72 is configured with a first end 73a, a second end 73b, and a body portion 73 disposed therebetween. The body portion 73 is extending through the second channel 57 so that the first end 73a is aligned within an exterior surface of the housing 10 and the second end 73b is disposed within the valve fitting 40. The second end 73b is fixedly received within the second recess 64. The first end 71a of the first manipulator member 70 is configured to grasped by a user for rotating the first manipulator member 70 within the channel 55 together with the ball member 60 between its open position, bypass position and closed position. The second manipulator member 72 is rotatable within the second channel 57 as a result of the rotation of the first manipulator member 70.

According to another example (not shown in the drawings), the second manipulator member can have an extended length similar to that of the first manipulator member 70. According to this example, the second end of the second manipulator member is disposed at an exterior of the housing and is configured to be grasped by a user for rotating the second manipulator member together with the ball member mounted thereto. This structure of the first and the second manipulator members allows displacing the ball member between its different positions from both sides of the fluid pipe hub.

According to still another example (not shown in the drawings), the second manipulator member can have an extended length similar to that of the first manipulator member 70, however the first manipulator member can have a shape similar to that the second manipulator member 72, i.e., a shorter length. According to this example, the second end of the second manipulator member can be disposed at an exterior of the housing and can be configured to be grasped by a user for rotating the second manipulator member together with the ball member mounted thereto. However, due to its short length, the first manipulator member cannot be grasped by the user for its rotation.

The structure of the first and the second manipulator members according to the above examples, allows selecting their length in accordance with the space available at the surrounding of the fluid pipe hub. For example, when the fluid pipe hub has to be located in proximity to a wall, so the shorter manipulator member (e.g., the second manipulator member 72) facing the wall will be incorporated within the fluid pipe hub, and the longer manipulator member (e.g., the second manipulator member 70) will be used at the other side of the fluid pipe hub. For another example, when there is no space limitation at the surrounding of the fluid pipe hub, the elongated first and second manipulator members can be incorporated within the fluid pipe hub.

The ball member 60 is configured with a first fluid passage 66 and a second fluid passage 68, both extending therethrough and symmetrical with respect to the center of the ball member 60. The first fluid passage 66 is extending between a first end 66a and a second end 66b, and the second fluid passage 68 is extending between a third end 68a and a fourth end 68b.

As shown in Fig. IB, in the open position of the ball member 60, the first end 66a is aligned with the inlet port 44 and the second end 66b is aligned with the first sub- port inlet 23, thereby establishing a first fluid path 80 (shown in Fig. IB) between the inlet 12 and the first annular rim 25. In addition, in this position of the ball valve 60, the third end 68a is aligned with the second sub-port outlet 33, and the fourth end 68b is aligned with the outlet port 48, thereby establishing a second fluid path 82 between the second annular rim 35 and the outlet 14.

As shown in Fig. ID, the housing 10 is further configured with two opposing third fluid passages 16 and 18, extending between the first port 20 and the second port 30, and establishing a third fluid path 84 therebetween. As clearly seen in the drawings, the third fluid path 84 is independent from the junction chamber 42. The third fluid passages 16 and 18 are disposed between the interior housing wall 11 and the exterior fitting wall 41, and the first lateral mounting member 54 and the second lateral mounting member 56 are crossing them, respectively.

When the first fluid accessory and the second fluid accessory are coupled to the first port 20 and the second port 30, respectively, an outlet of the first fluid is in fluid communication with an inlet of the second fluid accessory.

In the open position of the ball member 60, the first fluid path 80 and the second fluid path 82 are established, and the third fluid path 84 provides fluid communication between the first fluid path 80 and the second fluid path 82, via the first fluid accessory and via the second fluid accessory. Detailed explanation regarding the fluid flow regime in the open position of the ball valve 60 is provided below with respect to Figs. 4A-4D and 5A-5C, in which fluid accessories are coupled to the fluid pipe hub 1.

Reference is now made to Figs. 2A-2G, in which the ball valve 60 is rotated to its bypass position. In the bypass position, the fluid flows through the fluid pipe hub 1, without entering into the fluid accessories coupled (if coupled) thereto.

The housing 10 is configured with a bypass fluid passage 43a (shown in Figs. 2B and 2C) extending in the valve fitting 40. In particular, the bypass fluid passage 43a is a longitudinal recess formed in the chamber surface 43. The bypass fluid passage 43a extends between a first bypass end 43b and a second bypass end 43c. As shown in Fig. 2A, in order to displace the ball member 60 from its open position to its bypass position, the first manipulator member 70 has to be rotated in the counterclockwise directed at an angle of 120°.

In the bypass position, the first end 66a is aligned with the first bypass end 43b and the second end 66b is aligned with the inlet port 44. In addition, the third end 68a is aligned with the outlet port 48, and the fourth end 68b is aligned with the second bypass end 43c. In this orientation of the first fluid passage 66 and the second fluid passage 68 with respect to the valve fitting 40, a bypass fluid path 86 is established between the inlet 12 and the outlet 14. The bypass fluid path 86 (shown in Fig. 2B) is extending between the inlet 12 and the outlet 14, via the first fluid passage 66, via the bypass fluid passage 43a and via the second fluid passage 68.

In the bypass position of the ball member 60, the fluid flow does not reach any of the fluid accessories coupled to the first and the second ports 20 and 30. This allows the fluid flow to pass through the fluid pipe hub 1 along the bypass fluid path 86, without entering into the fluid accessories coupled thereto. Since in the bypass position, no fluid pressure exists in the first and the second ports 20 and 30, the fluid accessories can be treated, retrofitted, replaced, or disassembled. The bypass position can thus be used for treating, retrofitting, replacing, and disassembling the fluid accessories of the fluid pipe hub 1 with having to stop the fluid flow within the pipeline, or making any changes in pipeline or elements thereof.

Reference is now made to Figs. 3A and 3B, in which the ball valve 60 is rotated to its closed position. The closed position, the fluid flow through the fluid pipe hub 1 is precluded.

In the closed position, the first end 66a is aligned with the first sub-port inlet 23 and the second end 66b is aligned with first bypass end 43b. In addition, the third end 68a is aligned with the second bypass end 43c, and the fourth end 68b is aligned with the second sub-port outlet 33. In this orientation of the first fluid passage 66 and the second fluid passage 68 with respect to the valve fitting 40, a ball section 60a is aligned with the inlet port 44 in front of the inlet 12 and entirely blocks the inlet port 44, thereby preventing entrance of fluid into the valve fitting 40 and precluding fluid communication between the inlet 12 and the outlet 14.

In the closed position of the ball member 60, the fluid flow does not reach any of the fluid accessories coupled to the first and the second ports 20 and 30. Since in the closed position, no fluid pressure exists in the first and the second ports 20 and 30, the fluid accessories can be treated, retrofitted, replaced, or disassembled. The closed position can thus be used for treating, retrofitting, replacing, and disassembling the fluid accessories of the fluid pipe hub 1 while there is now fluid flow in the pipeline.

Reference is now made to Figs. 4A-4D, illustrating the fluid pipe hub 1 with a check valve 100 coupled to the first port 20, a filter 200 coupled to the check valve 100 and a pressure reducing valve 300 coupled to the second port 30. The check valve 100 is regarded in the present example is a first fluid accessory, and the pressure reducing valve 300 is regarded in the present example as the second fluid accessory. The fluid pipe hub 1 is connected to the first pipe segment 13 and to the second pipe segment 15 for allowing fluid flow from the first pipe segment 13 to the second pipe segment 15 (in the open position and the bypass position of the ball member). In Figs. 4A-4D, the ball member 60 of the fluid pipe hub 1 is in its open position.

The check valve 100 has a valve housing 110 defining an upper fluid port 120 and a lower fluid port 130. The upper fluid port 120 has a screw thread 122 defined on an outer wall thereof such that it is secured to a screw thread 21 defined on an inner wall of the first port 20. The check valve 100 further has a valve arrangement 150 mounted within the valve housing 110, such that a peripheral fluid passage 140 is formed between the valve housing 110 and the valve arrangement 150. The fluid passage 140 is in fluid communication with the third fluid passage 84. The valve arrangement 150 is configured with an inlet port 152 sealingly engaging the first annular rim 25 for allowing fluid flow from the first fluid path 80 into the valve arrangement 150. The valve arrangement 150 is further configured with an outlet port 158 through which fluid escapes from the valve arrangement 150.

The valve arrangement 150 is configured with a piston member 154 seated on a spring 155 and displaceable between it normally closed position (shown in Figs. 4C and 4D) in which an inner port 156 of the valve arrangement 150 is closed for fluid flow, and an open position in which the piston member 154 is retracted in the downward direction upon fluid pressure applied thereon, thereby allowing fluid flow via the inner port 156 towards the outlet port 158 along a fluid path 81a. By this mechanism, the check valve 100 constitutes a one-way valve, allowing fluid flow only in one direction along the fluid path 81a, i.e., from the inlet port 152 to the outlet port 158. According to another example which is not shown in the drawings, if an end cup would have been coupled to the lower fluid port 130 instead of the filter 200, the fluid flow from the outlet port 158 would have been directed by the end cup towards the peripheral fluid passage 140, and from there via the third fluid path 84 to the second port 30, and to the pressure reducing valve 300.

However, according to the example of Figs. 4A-4C, the filter 200 is coupled to the check valve 100, and not an end cup. Therefore, explanations below are made with respect to the filter 200.

The filter 200 has a housing 210 defining a fluid port 220. The lower fluid port 130 has a screw thread 132 defined on an inner wall thereof such that it is secured to a screw thread 221 defined on an outer wall of the fluid port 220. The filter 200 is further configured with a filtering element 230 mounted within the housing 210 so that a peripheral fluid passage 240 is formed therebetween. The fluid passage 240 is in fluid communication with the fluid passage 140. The filtering element 230 is configured with a filter inlet port 232 engaging the outlet port 158 for receiving fluid flow therefrom into the filtering element 230. The filtering element 230 is configured with a peripheral side wall 235 configured for filtering the fluid that passes therethrough. The side wall 235 defines therein a fluid path 81b. The fluid that passes through the side wall 235 of the filtering element 230 enters into the fluid passage 240, and from there it flows upwards into the fluid passage 140 along a fluid path 81c towards the first port 20.

The pressure reducing valve 300 has a valve housing 310 defining a coupling port 320. The coupling port 320 has a screw thread 322 defined on an outer wall thereof such that it is secured to a screw thread 31 defined on an inner wall of the second port 30. The pressure reducing valve 300 is further configured with a valve arrangement 330 including a piston member 332 seated on a spring 333 and having a sealing membrane 334 mounted to its lower end.

The piston member 332 is configured to shift between a retracted position (not shown) and a forward position (shown in Figs. 4C and 4D) in accordance with fluid pressure applied on the sealing membrane 334. As shown in Figs. 4C and 4D, when the pressure reducing valve 300 is coupled to the second port 20, the sealing membrane 334 sealingly engages the second annular rim 35, thereby preventing fluid flow from the third fluid passage 84 into the second sub-port inlet 34 up to a predetermined pressure of the fluid. However, when the pressure of the fluid exceed the predetermined level, the piston member 332 is shifted to its retracted position together with the sealing membrane 334, thereby allowing fluid flow from the third fluid passage 84 into the second sub-port inlet 34, and from there via the second fluid passage 82 and into the second pipe segment 15.

The pressure reducing valve 300 is configured for controlling (e.g., reducing) the fluid pressure at the second pipe segment 15, and for this purpose, is configured with a pressure regulating mechanism 350. The pressure regulating mechanism 350 is configured with a regulator 352 mounted to a top portion of the valve housing 310, and a restricting member 354 which is displacable along a Y axis upon rotation of the regulator 352. The location of the restricting member 354 within the valve housing 310 is configured to delimit displacement of the piston member 332 along the Y axis, thereby setting the predetermined level of fluid pressure required for the displacing the piston member 332 to its retracted position.

In summary, the fluid flow regime of the example of Figs. 4A-4D, in which the ball valve 60 of the fluid pipe hub 1 is in its open position, is the following: fluid enters from first pipe segment 13 into the first fluid path 80. By displacing the piston member 154 to its open position, the fluid continues to flow along the fluid path 81a. After entering into the filter inlet port 232, the fluid flows along the fluid path 81b, and after being filtered, continues in the upward direction along the fluid path 81c, and from there via the third fluid path 84 towards the sealing membrane 334. The pressure of the fluid displaces the piston member 332 to its retracted position, thereby allowing the fluid to enter into the second fluid path 82, and from there to the second pipe segment 15.

If the ball member 60 of the fluid pipe hub 1 is displaced to its bypass position, the check valve 100, the filter 200 and the pressure reducing valve 300 can be disassembled from the fluid pipe hub 1, while the fluid will continue to fluid from the first pipe segment 13 via the bypass fluid path 86 to the second pipe segment 15. In addition, if the ball member 60 is displaced to its closed position, the check valve 100, the filter 200 and the pressure reducing valve 300 can be disassembled from the fluid pipe hub 1, while there is not fluid flow via the fluid pipe hub 1.

Reference is finally made to Figs. 5A-5C, illustrating the fluid pipe hub 1 with an end cup 400 coupled the first port 20, and the pressure reducing valve 300 of Figs. 4A-4D is coupled to the second port 30. The end cup 400 replaces the check valve 100 and the filter 200. The end cup 400 has a cup housing 410 with a screw thread 412 defined on an outer wall thereof, such that it is screwed to the screw thread 21 of the first port 20. The cup housing is further configured with an internal wall surface 414.

The fluid flow regime according to the example of Figs. 5A-5C, in which the ball valve 60 of the fluid pipe hub 1 is in its open position, is the following: fluid enters from the first pipe segment 13 into the first fluid path 80, and from there via the first annular rim 25 towards the internal wall surface 414. The fluid is then redirected by the internal wall surface 414 to flow along the third fluid path 84 towards the sealing membrane 334. The pressure of the fluid displaces the piston member 332 to its retracted position, thereby allowing the fluid to enter into the second fluid path 82, and from there to the second pipe segment 15.

It will be appreciated to those skilled in the art that the additional fluid accessories can be serially coupled to the first or second ports 20 and 30 of the fluid pipe hub 1, such that the fluid flow is directed therethrough. It will be further appreciated that the fluid accessories serially coupled to one of the ports of the hub are configured with a first fluid path for directing fluid from the fluid pipe hub 1 and a second fluid path for directing back towards the fluid pipe hub 1.

Thus, according to the presently disclosed subject matter, a system can be provided with a hub and various fluid accessories, each being configured with a port having an inlet flow path and a parallel outlet flow path. The system allows various configurations of fluid accessories to be coupled to the fluid pipe hub. Similarly, the system allows coupling more than one fluid accessories to each of the first end second ports, for example a pressure reducing valve with check valve coupled to the first port and a scale-inhibitor coupled to the second port, or a pressure-Guard and a pressure reducing valve coupled to the first port and a filter coupled to the second port.

It is appreciated that various other configurations can be provided such that a plurality of fluid accessories can be serially coupled to the pipeline through the hub without having to modify segments of the pipeline. It is further appreciated that the system allows replacing the fluid accessories coupled to the hub with having to make any changes in pipe segments of the pipeline in accordance with the properties of the fluid accessories such as length, diameter etc.