(19)
(11)EP 0 204 422 B1

(12)EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45)Mention of the grant of the patent:
23.08.1989 Bulletin 1989/34

(21)Application number: 86303300.7

(22)Date of filing:  30.04.1986
(51)International Patent Classification (IPC)4F16K 15/02

(54)

A uni-directional-flow, fluid valve assembly

Anordnung von Rückschlagventilen

Montage de soupape à écoulement unidirectionnel


(84)Designated Contracting States:
DE GB IT SE

(30)Priority: 13.05.1985 US 733081

(43)Date of publication of application:
10.12.1986 Bulletin 1986/50

(73)Proprietor: INGERSOLL-RAND COMPANY
Woodcliff Lake New Jersey 07675-8738 (US)

(72)Inventor:
  • Bennitt, Robert A.
    Painted Post New York 14870 (US)

(74)Representative: Fisher, Bernard et al
Raworth, Moss & Cook 36 Sydenham Road
Croydon Surrey CR0 2EF
Croydon Surrey CR0 2EF (GB)


(56)References cited: : 
DE-A- 1 500 169
DE-C- 921 606
US-A- 4 489 752
DE-C- 87 267
US-A- 3 148 697
  
      
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description


    [0001] This invention relates to substantially circular uni-directional-flow, fluid valve assemblies.

    [0002] Known uni-directional-flow, fluid valve assemblies typically comprise single-tiered, multilayered structures in which, however, there are unacceptable flow losses due to fluid-flow obstructions presented by one tier to the other thereof. In addition, such prior art valves have considerably large clearance volumes which, therefore, diminish the efficiency thereof.

    [0003] DE-C-921 606 discloses a valving plate having two circular rows of separate circular and walled valving chambers, each chamber having an inlet and an outlet port and a movable spring loaded valving element for opening or closing the inlet port. Alternate chambers in one of said rows are such that one chamber is situated on the top side of the valving plate and the adjacent chamber is situated on the bottom side of the valving plate and so on. One chamber overlies portions of the two adjacent chambers.

    [0004] There has long been a need for an efficient, tiered, uni-directional-flow, fluid valve assembly which can be accommodated in a small area, which affords a considerable through-flow volume of fluid, and which does not manifest significant flow losses.

    [0005] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a substantially circular, uni-directional-flow, fluid valve assembly, having a given diameter, comprising: means defining pluralities of rows of separate, circular and walled valving chambers; wherein each chamber has a first port for admitting fluid therein, and a second port for discharging fluid therefrom, a valving element movable therewithin to and from one of said ports, for occluding and exposing, respectively, said one port, there being means normally urging said valving element towards said one port; and a cross-section taken fully along said given diameter of said assembly has a given length, and bisects one of said rows of said valving chambers across the diameters of each of said chambers in said one row; wherein the sum of the lengths of said diameters of said chambers in said one row is greater than said given length; and said cross-section defines a plane; and at least one of said chambers, along said plane, overlies portions of at least three others of said chambers.

    [0006] According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a substantially circular, uni-directional-flow, fluid valve assembly, having a given diameter, comprising: means defining pluralities of rows of separate, circular and walled valving chambers; wherein each chamber of said rows thereof has first and second ports opening thereinto for admitting and discharging fluid, respectively, thereinto and therefrom; each chamber further has, therewithin, a valving element movable to and from one of said ports, for occluding and exposing, respectively, said one port, there being means normally urging said valving element towards said one port; and a chordal cross-section taken fully across said assembly is of a prescribed dimension, and bisects one of said rows of said valving chambers across the diameters of each of said chambers in said one row; wherein the sum of the dimensions of said diameters of said chambers in said one row is greater than said prescribed dimension; said cross-section defines a plane; and at least one of said chambers, along said plane, overlies portions of at least three others of said chambers.

    [0007] For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: .

    Figure 1 is a plan view of a valve assembly having valving elements and springs omitted for purposes of clarity; that is, to show the spring- receiving lands of the ribs;

    Figure 2 is a side view of the assembly shown in Figure 1, half thereof being shown in cross-section taken from section 2 - 2 of Figure 1; the cross-sectional view (portion) has the springs omitted for purposes of clarity, that is, more clearly to depict the ribs; the valve assembly shown in Figure 2 is illustrative of the valving elements, and hence the valve assembly itself, in closed disposition;

    Figure 2A is a view of the valve assembly which is identical to Figure 2, except that the valving elements, and valve assembly, are shown in the open disposition; and

    - Figure 3 is a greatly enlarged illustration of the valving element, spring, and dual-land ribs, which are common to each thereof in each tier, the aforesaid structures shown in relationship to the associated fluid through-flow envelope therefor formed in each valving plate.



    [0008] As shown in the Figures, the valve assembly 10, according to the depicted embodiment thereof, comprises first and second valving plates 12 and 14, the former being above the latter, and the two being secured together (by hardware not shown). A stop plate 16 is similarly secured above valving plate 12. A first plurality of alternate apertures 20 define first ports for chambers 18 formed in plate 12. The second, alternate apertures 20 define conduits for communicating with first ports 22 (formed in plate 12) for chambers 18 which are formed in plate 14.

    [0009] Each of the chambers 18 have second ports opening thereinto as well. The underlying surface 24 of plate 12, that is, the surface thereof which engages plate 14, has a plurality of openings 26 formed therein, the same defining the aforesaid second ports for chambers 18 in plate 12. Plate 14 has a plurality of openings 28 formed therein which define the second ports for the chambers 18 subsisting within plate 14. Further, the latter plate has a plurality of conduits 30 formed therein for communicating with the second ports 26 (formed in plate 12) for chambers 18 which subsist in plate 12.

    [0010] In each of the chambers 18 there is a cup- shaped valving element 32, the same being movable therewithin. Surface 24 of plate 12 comprises a stop surface for the elements 32 which move within the chambers 18 in plate 14. Similarly, the underlying surface 34 of plate 16 defines a stop surface for the elements 32 which move within the chamber 18 in plate 12.

    [0011] Each chamber 18 has a passageway 36 communicating therewith, such passageways being formed in the plates (12 and 14) in which are formed the chambers 18 with which they communicate. Each passageway 36, however, is identical with each of the others thereof; each comprises a frustoconical wall 38 from which, intruding into the passageway 36, are three ribs 40. The ribs 40 are spaced apart one hundred and twenty degrees of arc (approximately) from each other within the passageways 36. Each rib has a first land 42 which, with such lands 42 on the other two ribs 40 in a passageway 36, defines a seat for the valving element 32 upon the element removing from the first ports (20 and 22). Each rib 40 also has a second land 44 upon which to receive one end of a spring 46. Springs 46 nest within the valving elements 32, at one end thereof, and set against the lands 44. Hence, elements 32 are biased toward, and in closure of, the first ports (20 and 22).

    [0012] Each chamber 18, together with its associated passageway 36, first ports 20 or 22, and second ports 26 or 28 has a flow-path axis 48. Axes 48 are linear and parallel; no one axis 48 is obstructed by any other axis 48. In addition, no ports, conduits 20 or 30, or passageways 36 impede fluid flow through any others thereof. Even so, the flow-path axes 48 are efficiently compact in a relatively small area by the novel manner in which chambers, passageways and ports are formed in the two tier arrangement presented by plates 12, 14 and 16. This is made more evident by some exemplary measurements.

    [0013] In Figure 1 the diameter of the valve assembly occupies the plane "A". In this exemplary embodiment of the invention, the assembly 10 has a diameter of six and three-quarter inches (17.15 cm). Now, it will be seen that plane "A" bisects seven chambers 18, directly across the diameters of each thereof. The sum of the diameters of the seven bisected chambers is greater than the aforesaid six and three-quarter inches (17.15 cm). The sum is almost seven inches (17.8 cm). Precisely, in this embodiment, each chamber has a diameter of 0.984-inch (2.5 cm), so that the seven thereof, summed, comes to 6.888-inches (17.5 cm). In fact, if a chordal cross-section were to be taken through a plane "B", here too the cross-sectional length would be less than the sum of the bisected chambers 18. Along plane "B", the chordal length is six and a half inches (16.5 cm) and of course, the seven summed chamber diameters are the 6.888-inches (17.5 cm).

    [0014] The actual dimensions comprised by the exemplary, depicted embodiment are not material. What is significant is that the invention teaches how to compact a great quantity of efficient fluid flow paths, without obstructing any thereof, and having each hew to a linear axis 48, in a considerably restricted area.


    Claims

    1. A substantially circular, uni-directional-flow, fluid valve assembly, having a given diameter (A), comprising:

    means defining pluralities of rows of separate, circular and walled valving chambers (18); wherein

    each chamber (18) has a first port (20, 22) for admitting fluid therein, and a second port (26, 28) for discharging fluid therefrom, a valving element (32) movable therewithin to and from one of said ports, for occluding and exposing, respectively, said one port, there being means (46) normally urging said valving element (32) towards said one port; and

    a cross-section taken fully along said given diameter of said assembly has a given length, and bisects one of said rows of said valving chambers across the diameters of each of said chambers in said one row;

    wherein the sum of the lengths of said diameters of said chambers in said one row is greater than said given length; and said cross-section defines a plane; and at least one of said chambers, along said plane, overlies portions of at least three others of said chambers.


     
    2. A substantially circular, uni-directional-flow, fluid valve assembly, having a given diameter, comprising:

    means defining pluralities of rows of separate, circular and walled valving chambers (18); wherein

    each chamber (18) of said rows thereof has first (20, 22) and second ports (26, 28) opening thereinto for admitting and discharging fluid, respectively, thereinto and therefrom;

    each chamber further has, therewithin, a valving element (32) movable to and from one of said ports, for occluding and exposing, respectively, said one port, there being means (46) normally urging said valving element (32) towards said one port; and

    a chordal cross-section (B) taken fully across said assembly is of a prescribed dimension, and bisects one of said rows of said valving chambers across the diameters of each of said chambers in said one row;

    wherein the sum of the dimensions of said diameters of said chambers in said one row is greater than said prescribed dimension; said cross-section defines a plane; and at least one of said chambers, along said plane, overlies portions of at least three others of said chambers.


     
    3. A fluid valve assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that

    said chambers-defining means comprises first and second valving plates (12, 14), mounted together, in which the first valving plate is in surmounting relationship to the other thereof;

    one of said valving plates has alternate ones of said chambers of said rows formed therein; and

    the other of said valving plates has all other chambers, that is, those other than said alternate ones, of said rows formed therein.


     
    4. A fluid valve assembly according to claim 3, characterised in that

    said chambers-defining means further comprises a stop plate (16) surmounting said first valving plate (12);

    said stop plate has rows of apertures (20) formed therein which align with all of said chambers in said valving plates; and

    alternate ones of said apertures each comprises said one port (20) of one each of said chambers formed in said first valving plate.


     
    5. A fluid valve assembly according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that

    said first valving plate (12) has an upper surface and a lower surface (24);

    said other valving plate (14) is in engagement with said lower surface (24); and

    said lower surface defines a stop surface for said valving elements (32) within said other chambers in said other valving plate.


     
    6. A fluid valve assembly according to claim 3, 4, or 5, characterised in that

    each of said plates has a plurality of one of said first and second ports formed therein for each thereof to communicate with one of the chambers formed therein; and

    each of said plates has passageways (36) formed therein, intermediate said chambers and said second ports, said passageways communicating each of said chambers with one of said second ports.


     
    7. A fluid valve assembly according to claim 6, characterised in that

    each of said passageways (36) has a plurality of ribs (40) intruding thereinto; each of said ribs has a given land (42); and

    said lands of said ribs comprise seats upon which said valving elements (32) come to rest upon moving from said one ports.


     
    8. A fluid valve assembly according to claim 7, characterised in that

    each of said ribs further has a second land (44) and said

    means (46) normally urging said valving elements toward said one ports is engaged with said second lands.


     


    Ansprüche

    1. Im wesentlichen kreisförmige, in einer Richtung durchströmte Ventilanordnung für ein Fluid mit einem gegebenen Durchmesser (A)

    - mit Einrichtungen, die eine Vielzahl von Reihen getrennter, kreisförmiger, mit Wänden versehener Ventilkammern (18) bilden, wobei

    - jede Kammer (18) eine erste Öffnung (20, 22) zum Einlaß von Fluid und eine zweite Öffnung (26, 28) zum Auslaß des Fluids aufweist, wobei ein Ventilelement (32) innerhalb der Kammer zu einer der Öffnungen hin und von dieser weg bewegbar ist, um diese eine Öffnung zu verschließen bzw. freizugeben, wobei Mittel (46) vorgesehen sind, die normalerweise das Ventilelement (32) zu dieser einen Öffnung hin drängen, und

    - wobei ein über die volle Länge des gegebenen Durchmessers der Anordnung gelegter Querschnitt eine gegebene Länge hat und eine der Reihen der Ventilkammern längs des Durchmessers jeder dieser Kammern in dieser Reihe schneidet,

    - wobei die Summe der Längen der Durchmesser dieser Kammern in dieser einen Reihe größer ist als die gegebene Länge, wobei der Querschnitt eine Ebene definiert und wobei wenigstens eine der Kammern längs der Ebene Teile von wenigstens drei anderen Kammern überlagert.


     
    2. Im wesentlichen kreisförmige, in einer Richtung durchströmte Ventilanordnung für ein Fluid mit einem gegebenen Durchmesser

    - mit Einrichtungen, die eine Vielzahl von Reihen getrennter, kreisförmiger, mit Wänden versehener Ventilkammern (18), bilden,

    - wobei jede Kammer (18) dieser Reihen erste (20, 22) und zweite Öffnungen (26, 28) aufweist, die sich in die Kammern hinein öffnen, um Fluid in diese einzulassen bzw. aus diesen auszulassen,

    - wobei jede Kammer ferner in ihrem Inneren ein Ventilelement (32) aufweist, das auf eine der Öffnungen zu und von dieser weg bewegbar ist, um diese eine Öffnung zu verschließen bzw. freizugeben, wobei Mittel (46) vorgesehen sind, die normalerweise das Ventilelement (32) gegen diese eine Öffnung hin drängen,

    - wobei ein längs einer Sehne vollständig durch die Anordnung gelegter Querschnitt (B) eine vorbestimmte Abmessung hat und eine der Reihen der Ventilkammern längs der Durchmesser jeder der Kammern in dieser einen Reihe schneidet,

    - wobei die Summe der Abmessungen der Durchmesser der Kammern in dieser einen Reihe größer ist als die vorbestimmte Abmessung, wobei der Querschnitt eine Ebene definiert und wenigstens eine der Kammern längs der Ebene Teile von wenigstens drei anderen Kammern überlagert.


     
    3. Ventilanordnung für ein Fluid nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß

    - die die Kammern bildenden Einrichtungen erste und zweite Ventilplatten (12, 14) aufweisen, die zusammenmontiert sind, wobei die erste Ventilplatte über der anderen angeordnet ist,

    - eine der Ventilplatten jeweils wechselständige Kammern der darin gebildeten Reihen aufweist,

    - und die andere der Ventilplatten alle anderen Kammern der darin gebildeten Reihen aufweist, d.h. alle anderen als die genannten wechselständigen Kammern.


     
    4. Ventilanordnung für ein Fluid nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß

    - die die Kammern bildenden Einrichtungen ferner eine Halteplatte (16) aufweisen, die über der ersten Ventilplatte (12) liegt,

    - die Halteplatte Reihen von darin ausgebildeten Durchbrechungen (20) aufweist, die mit allen Kammern in den Ventilplatten fluchten, und

    - die jeweils wechselständigen dieser Durchbrechungen jeweils die eine Öffnung (20) für jeweils eine der Kammern aufweisen, die in der ersten Ventilplatte ausgebildet sind.


     
    5. Ventilanordnung für ein Fluid nach Anspruch 3 oder 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß

    - die erste Ventilplatte (12) eine obere Oberfläche und eine untere Oberfläche (24) hat,

    - die andere Ventilplatte (14) in Anlage mit der unteren Oberfläche (24) ist und

    - die untere Oberfläche eine Anschlagfläche für die Ventilelemente (32) innerhalb der anderen Kammern in der anderen Ventilplatte bildet.


     
    6. Ventilanordnung für ein Fluid nach Anspruch 3,4 oder 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß

    - jede der Platten eine Vielzahl von einer der ersten und zweiten darin ausgebildeten Öffnungen aufweist, so daß jede davon mit einer der darin ausgebildeten Kammern in Verbindung steht und

    - jede der Platten darin ausgebildete Durchgänge (36) zwischen den Kammern und den zweiten Öffnungen aufweist, wobei die Durchgänge jeder dieser Kammern in Verbindung mit einer der zweiten Öffnungen stehen.


     
    7. Ventilanordnung für ein Fluid nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß

    - jeder der Durchgänge (36) eine Vielzahl von in diesen hinein vorragenden Rippen (40) aufweist, wobei jede der Rippen einen Steg (42) hat, und

    - die Stege der Rippen Sitze aufweisen, auf denen sich die Ventilelemente (32) auflegen, wenn sie sich von den einen Öffnungen weg bewegen.


     
    8. Ventilanordnung für ein Fluid nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß

    - jede der Rippen ferner einen zweiten Steg (44) aufweist und

    - die normalerweise die Ventilelemente gegen die einen Öffnungen drängenden Mittel (46) in Eingriff mit den zweiten Stegen stehen.


     


    Revendications

    1. Ensemble formant valve unidirectionnelle pour fluide, sensiblement circulaire et ayant un diamètre donné (A), comprenant des moyens définissant des pluralités de rangées de chambres de valve circulaires séparées (18) délimitées par des parois, dans laquelle chaque chambre (18) comporte un premier orifice (20, 22) pour l'admission de fluide dans la chambre et un second orifice (26, 28) pour l'écoulement de fluide à partir de la chambre, un élément de valve (32) monté déplaçable dans la chambre vers et à partir de l'un desdits orifices pour respectivement obstruer et exposer celui-ci, des moyens (46) étant agencés pour normalement solliciter ledit élément de valve (32) vers ledit orifice; une coupe transversale suivant toute la longueur dudit diamètre donné dudit ensemble a une longueur donnée et bissecte une desdites rangées desdites chambres de valve suivant un diamètre de chacune desdites chambres de ladite rangée; dans laquelle la somme des longueurs desdits diamètres desdites chambres de ladite rangée est supérieure à ladite longueur donnée; et la coupe transversale définit un plan; et au moins une desdites chambres le long dudit plan recouvre des parties d'au moins trois autres desdites chambres.
     
    2. Ensemble formant valve unidirectionnelle pour fluide, sensiblement circulaire et ayant un diamètre donné, comprenant des moyens définissant des pluralités de rangées de chambres de valve circulaires séparées (18) délimitées par des parois, dans laquelle chaque chambre (18) desdites rangées de chambres comporte un premier (20, 22) et un second orifices (26, 28) débouchant dans la chambre pour respectivement l'admission et l'écoulement de fluide dans la chambre et depuis celle-ci; l'intérieur de chaque chambre étant en outre pourvu d'un élément de valve (32) monté déplaçable vers et à partir de l'un desdits orifices afin respectivement d'obstruer et exposer ledit orifice des moyens (46) étant agencés pour normalement solliciter ledit élément de valve (32) vers ledit orifice et une coupe transversale suivant une corde (B) traversant entièrement ledit ensemble a une dimension prédéterminée et bissecte l'une desdites rangées de chambres de valve suivant un diamètre de chacune des chambres de ladite rangée; dans laquelle la somme des dimensions desdits diamètres des chambres de ladite rangée est supérieure à la dimension prédéterminée; ladite coupe transversale définit un plan; et au moins une desdites chambres suivant ledit plan recouvre des portions d'au moins trois autres chambres.
     
    3. Ensemble formant valve pour fluide suivant la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens définissant des chambres comprennent une première et une seconde plaques de valve (12, 14) montées ensemble, la première plaque de valve étant disposée au-dessus de la seconde plaque de valve; en ce que l'une desdites plaques de valve comporte des chambres alternées desdites chambres desdites rangées formées dans les plaques; et en ce que l'autre desdites plaques de valve comporte toutes les autres chambres, à savoir toutes les chambres autres que lesdites chambres alternatives desdites rangées formées dans les plaques.
     
    4. Ensemble formant valve pour fluide suivant la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que les moyens définissant des chambres comportent en outre une plaque de retenue (16) disposée au-dessus de ladite première plaque de valve (12); en ce que ladite plaque de retenue comporte des rangées d'ouvertures (20) formées dans celle-ci et qui sont alignées avec toutes lesdites chambres desdites plaques de valve; et en ce que des ouvertures alternées desdites ouvertures comprennent l'un (20) desdits orifices de chacune desdites chambres formées dans la première plaque de valve.
     
    5. Ensemble formant valve pour fluide suivant la revendication 3 ou 4, caractérisé en ce que ladite première plaque de valve (12) comporte une surface supérieure et une surface inférieure (24); en ce que ladite seconde plaque de valve (14) coopère avec ladite surface inférieure (24); et en ce que ladite surface inférieure définit une surface de retenue pour lesdits éléments de valve (32) à l'intérieur des autres chambres dans ladite seconde plaque de valve.
     
    6. Ensemble formant valve pour fluide suivant une des revendications 3, 4 ou 5 caractérisé en ce que chacune desdites plaques comporte une pluralité desdits premier et second orifices formés dans les plaques de façon que chaque orifice communique avec une des chambres formées dans les plaques; et en ce que chaque plaque comporte des passages (36) formés dans les plaques et disposés entre lesdites chambres et lesdits seconds orifices, lesdits passages mettant en communication chacune desdites chambres avec un desdits seconds orifices.
     
    7. Ensemble formant valve pour fluide suivant la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que chacun des passages (36) comporte une pluralité de nervures (40) faisant saillie dans le passage; et en ce que chacune desdites nervures comporte une surface d'appui donnée (42); et en ce que lesdites surfaces d'appui desdites nervures comportent des sièges sur lesquels lesdits éléments de valve (32) peuvent venir en appui lors d'un déplacement depuis lesdits orifices.
     
    8. Ensemble formant valve pour fluide suivant la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que chacune des nervures comporte en outre une seconde surface d appui (44) et en ce que lesdits moyens (46) sollicitant normalement lesdits éléments de valve vers lesdits orifices coopèrent avec lesdites secondes surfaces d'appui.
     




    Drawing