20120211090 | Clean-in-Place Valve Assembly and Method of Operation - A valve assembly configured for a clean-in-place operation for processing systems includes a valve body with a valve seat and inner cavity extending into the valve body. A shaft extends through the valve body and a stopper is connected to one end of the shaft for movement between a normally closed position wherein the stopper sealingly engages the valve seat and an open position wherein the stopper is spaced from the valve seat to permit cleaning fluid to enter and exit the inner cavity only through the valve. An actuator is connected to the valve body and includes a plunger adapted for contacting an opposite end of the shaft for moving the stopper toward the open position when activated. An air inlet extends through the valve body and into the inner cavity. A stop valve is operatively associated with the inlet and is in a normally closed position for preventing fluid from exiting through the inlet such that cleaning fluid only enters and exits the inner cavity through the valve seat when the plunger is in the open position. The stop valve is connectable to a source of pressurized air to thereby open the stop valve and cause drying air or other gas or fluid to enter the inner cavity with sufficient pressure to move the stopper toward the open position and supply the air or other gas or other fluid to the processing system. | 08-23-2012 |