DISTRIBUTION VALVE

Description

Background of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a distribution valve.

[0002] Specifically, but not exclusively, the invention can be used in the context of an operating machine for making a modular system with a series of modules or valve sections to connect a pump to a plurality of hydraulic actuators.

[0003] In particular, reference is made to a distribution valve provided with a pressure compensator.

[0004] Various modular valve systems with pressure compensation are already known for the hydraulic control of a plurality of actuators, such as, for example the modular systems shown in patent publications US 5579642, US 5890362, US 2008/0282691, US 2009/0173067, EP 1610002, EP 1628018.

[0005] US 2008/000535 discloses a distribution valve as in the preamble of claim 1.

Summary of the invention

[0006] One object of the invention is to improve prior-art distribution valves with pressure compensators.

[0007] One advantage of the invention is to make a valve with relatively reduced dimensions. The valve may be advantageously compact and in particular it can be used, by way of example, for operating fluid flows up to 35 litres/minute with a pressure difference of ΔP = 8 bar. Another advantage is to provide a constructionally simple and cheap valve.

[0008] A further advantage is to enable several actuators to be driven simultaneously.

[0009] Still another advantage is to permit substantially constant speed of the actuator, or of the actuators, also as the load varies, in particular by keeping constant the pressure difference through the valve, for example by means of a regulating choke.

[0010] Another advantage is to provide a distribution valve that integrates a pressure compensator and combines relatively high performance and relatively compact dimensions.

[0011] Another advantage is to make available a valve that can be used in the context of control systems of hydraulic actuators and which for this purpose can be associated with already existing components, with a consequent reduction of costs. Another advantage is the reduced consumption of energy required to regulate the valve.

[0012] These objects and advantages and still others are all achieved by the valve according to one or more of the claims set out below.

Brief description of the drawings

[0013] The invention can be better understood and actuated with reference to the attached drawings that illustrate some nonlimiting embodiments thereof.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the valve.

Figure 2 is a side view of the valve in figure 1.

Figure 3 is the section III-III in figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail in figure 3.

Figure 5 is the section V-V in figure 2.

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail in figure 5.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a solid body that represents, negatively, the hollow parts of the valve body 2 of the valve in figure 1.

Figure 8 is a frontal view of the solid body in figure 7.

Figure 9 is a view from the left of figure 8.

Figure 10 is a view from the right of figure 8.

Figure 11 is a bottom view in figure 8.

Figure 12 is a top view in figure 8.

Figure 13 is a frontal view of the distribution cursor 13 of the fluid flow.

Figure 14 is the section XIV-XIV in figure 13.

Figure 15 is a diagram of the operating fluid flow as a function of the position of the cursor 13.

Figure 16 is a fragmentary section that shows a detail of any of the two ports 10A or 10B supplying the operating fluid (in particular the port has been illustrated 10A), the port comprising a flow-limiting device that in the specific case is of the type configured for use with magnets and cursor of the ON/OFF type.

Figure 17 is a hydraulic diagram of the valve in figure 1.

Figure 18 is a diagram of a modular system of hydraulic control of a plurality of actuators that uses two or more valves like that in figure 1.

Detailed description

[0014] With reference to the above figures, with 1 a distribution valve is indicated overall having a valve body 2. The valve body 2 has externally a first face 3 and a second face 4 opposite the first face 3. The first face 3 and the second face 4 can be substantially flat, or at least partially flat, and parallel to one another.

[0015] The valve 1 can be used, as in this specific case, to make a module of a modular control system of a plurality of hydraulic actuators. The modular system, schematically illustrated in figure 18, comprises a plurality of valves 1 placed serially alongside one another (with a parallel hydraulic connection), with the first face 3 of a valve coupled with the second face 4 of the adjacent valve such that one or more conduits obtained inside the valve body of a valve are in fluid communication with one or more conduits obtained inside the valve body of the adjacent valve. At least one corresponding hydraulic actuator (which is of known type and not illustrated) can be operationally associated with every valve 1.

[0016] The modular system of hydraulic control is used, in particular, on an operating machine of know type provided with various hydraulic actuators.

[0017] The valve body 2 can be optionally made by fusion of material, for example made of cast iron or of another (metal) material through casting. The valve body 2 has hollow portions inside that are configured for the passage of an operating fluid and/or for housing operating elements of the valve 1. For greater clarity, these hollow portions are shown for greater clarity as full portions (a solid body) in figures 7 to 12. These hollow portions are now disclosed in greater detail.

[0018] Internally, the valve body 2 has an inlet conduit 5 that, in the assembled configuration of the modular system, is optionally connected to a delivery of operating fluid (in the case in point it is collected to the delivery of a hydraulic pump). The inlet conduit 5 optionally crosses the valve body 2 from one side to the other. In the specific case the inlet conduit 5 has opposite ends that end on two opposite faces (first face 3 and second face 4) of the valve body 2. The inlet conduit 5 can be substantially rectilinear, and, for example, perpendicular to the opposite faces.

[0019] Internally, the valve body 2 has an outlet conduit 6, that, in the assembled configuration of the modular system, is optionally connected to a discharge of operating fluid (in the specific case the discharge is connected to the inlet of the hydraulic pump). The outlet conduit 6 optionally crosses the valve body 2 from one side to the other. In the specific case the outlet conduit 6 has opposite ends that end on two opposite faces (first face 3 and second face 4) of the valve body 2. The outlet conduit 6 can be substantially rectilinear and, for example, perpendicular to the opposite faces. The outlet conduit 6 is optionally parallel to the inlet conduit 5. The longitudinal axis of the outlet conduit 6 and the longitudinal axis of the inlet conduit 5 are optionally coplanar and can define a plane that passes through these longitudinal axes and is transverse to the opposite faces 3 and 4. This transverse plane is optionally a substantially median plane of the valve body 2.

[0020] Internally, the valve body 2 has a distributor seat 7 that hosts a distributor that is configured for controlling the direction (distribution) of the operating fluid in relation to the actuator.

[0021] In the specific case the distributor is of the four-way and three-position type. It is possible to provide for the distributor being of another type, such as, for example of the four-way and two-position type. The distributor seat 7 comprises a cavity extending in length along a longitudinal axis that may be transverse (optionally perpendicular) to the plane passing through the longitudinal axes of the conduits 5 and 6. This cavity of the distributor seat 7 has some recesses that define the operating ways of the distributor. These recesses optionally comprise a first central recess 71, a second intermediate recess 72 and a third intermediate recess 73 arranged on opposite sides of the first recess 71, a fourth end recess 74 and a fifth end recess 75 arranged on a side of the second recess 72 and respectively of the third recess 73 opposite with respect to the first recess 71. Internally, the valve body 2 has a compensator seat 8 that houses a pressure compensator configured for maintaining substantially constant the pressure difference between two zones of the hydraulic circuit, as will be better explained below. The compensator seat 8 comprises a cavity extending in length according to a longitudinal axis that may be transverse (optionally perpendicular) to the plane passing through the longitudinal axes of the conduits 5 and 6. The longitudinal axis of the compensator seat 8 can be, for example, substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the distributor seat 7.

[0022] Internally, the valve body 2 has a first user conduit A1 and a second user conduit B1 that are connected respectively to the second recess 72 and to the third recess 73. In the use configuration the user conduits A1 and B1 will be connected, in a known manner, to a hydraulic actuator, in particular to two sides (users A and B) of the actuator.

[0023] The valve body 2 has a third face 9 that may have, as in the specific case, two fluid ports 10A and 10B connected respectively to the first user conduit A1 and to the second user conduit B1. The two fluid ports 10A and 10B are substantially coplanar. The third face 9 can be, as in the specific case, transverse both to the first face 3 and to the second face 4. The third face 9 can connect, as in the specific case, the first face 3 to the second face 4. The fluid ports 10A and 10B are configured for connection (for example of removable type) to the actuator, in particular to the two operating sides A and B of the actuator.

[0024] The distance of each point (or the average distance of the various points) of the longitudinal axis of the distributor seat 7 from the third face 9 may be, as in the specific case, greater than the distance from each point (or the average distance of the various points) of the longitudinal axis of the inlet conduit 5 from the third face 9. The distance of each point (or the average distance of the various points) of the longitudinal axis of the outlet conduit 6 from the third face 9 can be, as in the specific case, greater than the distance of each point (or the average distance of the various points) of the longitudinal axis of the inlet conduit 5 from the third face 9, and/or greater than the distance of each point (or the average distance of the various points) of the longitudinal axis of the distributor seat 7 from the third face 9. The distance of each point (or the average distance of the various points) of the longitudinal axis of the compensator seat 8 from the third face 9 can be, as in the specific case, greater than the distance of each point (or the average distance of the various points) of the longitudinal axis of the inlet conduit 5 from the third face 9, and/or greater than the distance of each point (or the average distance of the various points) of the longitudinal axis of the distributor seat 7 from the third face 9, and/or greater than the distance of each point (or the average distance of the various points) of the longitudinal axis of the outlet conduit 6 from the third face 9.

[0025] The inlet conduit 5 is connected to the distributor seat 7. In particular, the inlet conduit 5 can be connected to the distributor seat 7 by the compensator seat 8. The compensator seat 8 can be interposed between the inlet conduit 5 and the distributor seat 7 in such a manner that the passage of the operating fluid between the inlet conduit 5 and the distributor seat 7 can occur only via the passage of the fluid through at least one part of the compensator seat 8. For this purpose it is possible to set up a first conduit 11 that connects the inlet conduit 5 to the compensator seat 8, and a second conduit 12 that connects the compensator seat 8 to the distributor seat 7. The first conduit 11 may have an end that terminates in an inlet recess 81 of the cavity of the compensator seat 8. The second conduit 12 may have an end that terminates in an outlet recess 82 of the cavity of the compensator seat 8. The inlet recess 81 and the outlet recess 82 can be arranged next to one another at a mutually axial distance. The second conduit 12 may have an end that terminates in the distributor seat 7, in particular, as in the illustrated example, in the first central recess 71 of the seat.

[0026] The outlet conduit 6 is connected to the distributor seat 7. For this purpose, internally the valve body 2 can have a first outlet branch 61 and a second outlet branch 62 that connect the outlet conduit 6 respectively to the fourth recess 74 and to the fifth recess 75.

[0027] The distributor seat 7 can be situated at least partially in a region of the valve body 2 comprised between the inlet conduit 5 and the outlet conduit 6.

[0028] The outlet conduit 6 can be situated at least partially in a region of the valve body 2 comprised between the distributor seat 7 and the compensator seat 8.

[0029] The outlet conduit 6 can be situated at least partially in a region of the valve body 2 comprised between the first conduit 11 and the second conduit 12.

[0030] The outlet conduit 6 can be situated at least partially in a region of the valve body 2 comprised between the compensator seat 8 and the inlet conduit 5.

[0031] The distributor seat 7 can be situated at least partially in a region of the valve body 2 comprised between the inlet conduit 5 and the compensator seat 8.

[0032] The distributor, which is optionally of the proportional type and can be, as in the specific case, of the four-way (delivery, discharge and two users) and three-position type, comprises a cursor 13 that is axially slidable in the distributor seat 7. The cursor 13 is configured so as to be able to assume at least three operating configurations in which it respectively locks the actuator (preventing fluid communication between the four paths, i.e. between the various recesses 71, 72, 73 and 74/75), drives the actuator in one direction by supplying one of the two users (enabling fluid communication between the recesses 71 and 72 and between the recesses 73 and 75), drives the actuator in the opposite direction by supplying the other user (enabling fluid communication between the recesses 71 and 73 and between the recesses 72 and 74). It is possible to provide, as a non-illustrated example, for the cursor being optionally configured in such a manner that, in the central position of the cursor, the recess 71 is locked and moreover that the recess 73 is placed in communicate with the recess 75 and the recess 72 is placed in communication with the recess 74.

[0033] The distributor comprises driving means, of known type, for example of electric type (solenoid) for controlling the axial sliding of the cursor 13 in one direction and/or in the opposite direction. The distributor may comprise two elastic elements (springs) that operate on the cursor 13 with opposite actions.

[0034] The cursor 13 comprises an external surface that has various seal zones that are slidingly coupled with the internal surface of the distributor seat 7 to make a fluid seal in a known manner in the zones of the seat comprised between the various recesses and in the zones most outside the recesses. The seal zones optionally have a cylindrical shape (with, optionally, one or more circumferal grooves). The seal zones optionally terminate in a chamfered (for example frustum-conical) surface to promote the operating linearity of the distributor. The seal zones may have at the ends (for example in the chamfered surface, if it exists, as in the specific case) a niche or, as in the specific case, two niches 14 (situated diametrically opposite one another), or more than two niches, to promote the operating linearity of the distributor. The niche 14 can be bounded at least partially by a tilted surface (for example with a frustum conical sector shape). The maximum width of the niche 14 may be a fraction (for example comprised between 20% and 80%) of the diameter of the seal zone. It is possible, as in the specific case, to set up at least one niche 14 arranged on the edge of the seal zone that operates between the fifth recess 75 and the third recess 73, and/or at least a niche 14 arranged on the edge of the seal zone that operates between the first recess. 71 and the third recess 73, and/or at least one niche 14 arranged on the edge of the seal zone that operates between the first recess 71 and the second recess 72, and/or at least one niche 14 arranged on the edge of the seal zone that operates between the fourth recess 74 and the second recess 72.

[0035] The diagram in figure 15, that shows the operating fluid flow as a function of the position of the cursor 13, shows the operating linearity of the distributor. This linearity may be promoted and/or obtained, in particular, owing to a specific conformation of the cursor 13 provided with niches 14 (for example as illustrated in figures 13 and 14).

[0036] The diagram refers to a situation in which the pressure difference ΔP between the valve inlet and outlet is 8 bar. In the diagram the position of the cursor is given as a percentage on the horizontal axis, where the position 0 (zero) indicates the cursor 13 in central position and the position 100 (cent) indicates the cursor 13 in any of the two possible end positions (with the operating fluid directed towards the user A or to the user B).

[0037] The compensator comprises a movable compensating element 15 that can slide axially within the compensator seat 8. An elastic element (spring) pushes axially on a side of the compensating element 15 at a preset force. The compensating element 15, for example the aforesaid side of the compensating element 15 where the elastic element operates, can be set up for being placed in selective communication with the first user conduit A1 or with the second user conduit B1, according to whether the user conduit A1 or B1 is connected to the delivery (see hydraulic diagram in figure 17). This communication comprises a three-way valve with a movable shutter that selectively shuts a first way (connected to the first port 10A) or a second way (connected to the second port 10B), according to which way is connected to the port connected in that moment by means of the distributor to the discharge, and which leaves a third way (connected to the compensator and/or to an auxiliary conduit 16) in fluid communication with the one between the first way and the second way that is not closed but connected by the distributor to the delivery of the pump P. This communication may comprise, for example, a conduit having a local pressure drop (for example an adjustable or fixed throttle). It is in fact possible that, in particular if the distributor is of the proportional type, the means for defining the local pressure drop (for example the throttle) is adjustable, for example for varying the pressure drop as a function of the position of the cursor of the distributor. It is possible that, particularly if the distributor is of the type with magnets and an ON/OFF cursor, the throttling and therefore the local pressure drop can be fixed in a preset manner, as in the illustrated example in which the pressure drop is determined by the drilled screw 18, in which the dimensions of the hole in the screw is chosen on the basis of conditions of use, for example as a function of the features of the system in which the valve is used.

[0038] The side of the compensating element 15 opposite the side facing the inlet recess 81 (i.e. opposite the delivery) is subjected to a reference pressure that depends on the supply pressure of the actuator (for example it is the same as this pressure less local apart from distributed and/or local pressure losses), i.e. of the pressure at the fluid door 10A or 10B that, at that moment, supplies the operating fluid to the actuator.

[0039] In use, the movable compensating element 15 of the pressure compensator is subjected, on an end side, to the supply pressure at the valve inlet, and, on the opposite end side, to the sum of the force due to the elastic element and the force due to the reference pressure (taken from the way of the distributor that at that moment is connected to the supply of the actuator), to the object of maintaining the pressure drop substantially constant between the inlet of the valve and the (inlet) supply of the actuator.

[0040] The operating fluid flow that first passes through the pressure compensator and then through the distributor, and then supplies the actuator, remains substantially constant as the load on the actuator changes.

[0041] The valve optionally comprises an auxiliary conduit 16 that is connected to the user conduits A1 and B1 so as to be selectively in fluid communication with the user conduit A1 or B1 that delivers the operating fluid to the user A or B. The auxiliary conduit 16 is configured for the passage of a pressure signal coming from the user conduit A1 or B1 connected to the delivery. This pressure signal can be used to control the pump that supplies the operating fluid. The auxiliary conduit 16 optionally crosses the valve body from one side to the other, for example with a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the distributor seat 7.

[0042] In figure 18 a modular system is schematically shown, comprising two or more modules or sections, each comprising a valve 1 of the type disclosed above. The modular system comprises a pump P that supplies the operating fluid at delivery pressure and a discharge T that receives the operating fluid leaving the actuators and which is connected to the inlet of the pump P. Each valve 1 (module) of the modular system is connected to the two users A and B, which may be the opposite sides of a corresponding hydraulic actuator.

[0043] The various valves 1 (modules or sections) are placed alongside one another and can be fixed together by locking elements, such as, for example, tie rods, inserted into holes 17. The various valves 1 are clamped in a block such that the inlet conduit 5 and the outlet conduit 6 of each valve are in fluid communication (in particular aligned) with the inlet conduit 5 and the outlet conduit 6 of the adjacent valves. It is possible to provide for the various auxiliary conduits 16 of the valves being in reciprocal communication (for example co-aligned) to transmit to the pump a signal indicating the supply pressure of the actuator that works at greatest pressure.

[0044] The valve can be controlled electrically; for example with reels of the on/off and of the proportional type, or manually. It is optional to set up a device for determining the maximum flow that is dispensable from the valve, for example a device comprising a drilled screw 18 operating on one or both the fluid ports 10A and 10B to limit the flow (in the specific case illustrated here of a distributor with assembly of the magnets and ON/OFF cursor type).

Legend

[0045] 

1

distribution valve

2

valve body

3

first face

4

second face

5

inlet conduit

6

outlet conduit
61 first outlet branch
62 second outlet branch

7

distributor seat
71 first recess
72 second recess
73 third recess
74 fourth recess
75 fifth recess

8

compensator seat
81 inlet recess
82 outlet recess

9

third face

10A, 10B

fluid ports

11

first conduit

12

second conduit

13

cursor

14

niches

15

compensating element

16

auxiliary conduit

17

holes for tie rods

18

drilled screw

A1

first user conduit

B1

second user conduit

A

first user

B

second user

P

pump

T

discharge

Claims

1. Valve (1) comprising:

- a valve body (2) having at least a first side (3) and at least a second side (4) opposite said at least a first side (3);

- an inlet conduit (5) that passes through said valve body (2) between said at least a first side (3) and said at least a second side (4), said inlet conduit (5) being substantially rectilinear and having opposite ends that end, respectively, on said first side (3) and said second side (4);

- an outlet conduit (6) that passes through said valve body (2) between said at least a first side (3) and said at least a second side (4), said outlet conduit (6) being substantially rectilinear and having opposite ends that end, respectively, on said first side (3) and said second side (4);

- a first port (10A) and a second port (10B) arranged on said valve body (2) for connecting to two users (A; B);

- a distributor (7; 13) arranged inside said valve body (2) and having at least four ways, wherein a first way is connected to said at least an inlet conduit (5), a second way and a third way are connected to said first port (10A) and, respectively, to said second port (10B), and a fourth way is connected to said at least an outlet conduit (6), said distributor being configured to place said inlet conduit (5) in selective communication with said first port (10A) or with said second port (10B);

- a compensator (8; 15) arranged inside said valve body (2) between said at least an inlet conduit (5) and said first way to maintain substantially constant a pressure drop between said inlet conduit (5) and that, among said first port (10A) and said second port (10B), which is placed in selective communication with said inlet conduit (5), wherein said compensator comprises a compensator seat (8) arranged in said valve body (2) and at least a compensator element (15) that is movable in said compensator seat (8), said compensator element (15) being commanded by at least an elastic element and by at least a pressure signal coming from that, among said first port (10A) and said second port (10B), which is placed in selective communication with said inlet conduit (5);

- a first conduit (11) is arranged in said valve body (2) for connecting said inlet conduit (5) to said compensator seat (8);

- a second conduit (12) is arranged in said valve body (2) for connecting said compensator seat (8) to said first way of the distributor; and

- an auxiliary conduit (16) that passes through said valve body (2) between said at least a first side (3) and said at least a second side (4), said auxiliary conduit (16) being connected to that, among said first port (10A) and said second port (10B), which is placed in selective communication with said inlet conduit (5), said auxiliary conduit (16) being configured for the passage of said pressure signal, said auxiliary conduit (16) having opposite ends that end, respectively, on said first side (3) and said second side (4);
characterized in that:

- at least a part of said outlet conduit (6) is arranged in a region of said valve body (2) comprised between said first conduit (11) and said second conduit (12);

- said distributor has a cursor (13) that is axially movable along a longitudinal axis of a distributor seat (7) that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of said compensator seat (8);

- said first conduit (11) and said second conduit (12) are prevalently extended on a same plane placed next to a plane passing through the longitudinal axes of said distributor (7) and compensator (8) seats;

- it comprises a three-way valve that has a first valve way connected to the first port (10A), a second valve way connected to the second port (10B), and a third valve way connected to said compensator and to said auxiliary conduit, said pressure signal coming from said third valve way; and

- the three-way valve has a movable shutter that selectively shuts the first valve way or the second valve way according to which valve way is connected to the port connected in that moment by the distributor to a discharge, said movable shutter leaving the third valve way in fluid communication with the one among the first valve way and the second valve way that is connected by the distributor to said inlet conduit (5).

2. Valve according to claim 1, wherein said compensator seat (8) is interposed between said inlet conduit (5) and said distributor seat (7) in such a manner that the passage of the operating fluid between the inlet conduit (5) and the distributor seat (7) can occur only via the passage of the fluid through at least one part of the compensator seat (8), said first conduit (11) having two ends that terminate, respectively, in said inlet conduit (5) and in an inlet recess (81) of the cavity of said compensator seat (8), said second conduit (12) having two ends that terminate, respectively, in an outlet recess (82) of the cavity of said compensator seat (8) and in said distributor seat (7).

3. Valve according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said prevalent extent plane of said first and second conduits is substantially parallel to said at least a first side (3) and/or to said at least a second side (4).

4. Valve according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said distributor is of the four-way and three-position type or four-way and two-position type.

5. Valve according to any one of claims 1 to 4, said valve body (2) having a third side (9) that connects said first side (3) with said second side (4), said first port (10A) and said second port (10B) being arranged on said third side (9), said cursor (13) being axially movable along an axis that is parallel to said third side (9) and being placed at a first distance therefrom, said compensator element (15) being axially movable along an axis that is parallel to said third side (9) and being placed at a second distance therefrom, said second distance being greater than said first distance.

6. Valve according to claim 5, wherein said inlet conduit (5) has an axis that is parallel to said third side (9) and is placed at a third distance therefrom, said outlet conduit (6) having an axis that is parallel to said third side (9) and being placed at a fourth distance therefrom; wherein said third distance is less than said first distance and/or wherein said fourth distance is greater than said first distance and is less than said second distance.

7. Valve according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said fourth way comprises two recesses (74; 75) arranged on two axially opposite ends of said distributor seat (7) and connected to said outlet conduit (6) by, respectively, a first outlet branch (61) and a second outlet branch (62).

8. Valve according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising at least a flow rate limiting device (18) that is operationally associated with said first port (10A) and/or with said second port (10B).

9. Valve according to claim 8, wherein said flow rate limiting device has a hole of preset fixed dimensions.

10. Valve according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said first conduit (11) and said second conduit (12) are arranged in a region of said valve body (2) comprised between one of said at least a first side (3) and said at least a second side (4), and a plane that passes trough said longitudinal axis of said distributor seat (7) and is parallel to said one of said at least a first side (3) and said at least a second side (4).

11. Valve according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said cursor (13) comprises at least a niche (14) provided on at least an edge of a seal zone that operates between at least two recesses of said distributor seat (7).

12. Valve according to claim 11, wherein said niche (14) is bounded at least partially by a tilted surface.

13. Valve according to claim 11 or 12, wherein said cursor (13) comprises at least a further niche (14) diametrically opposite said niche (14).

14. Valve according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein said valve is configured for an adjustable maximum flowrate to said users (A; B) of at least 35 litres/minute with a differential pressure of 8 bar.

15. Valve according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein said valve is provided with magnet control means and with an ON/OFF distributor cursor.

Ansprüche

1. Ventil (1) mit:

- einem Ventilkörper (2), der wenigstens eine erste Seite (3) und wenigstens eine zweite Seite (4) aufweist, die der wenigstens einen ersten Seite (3) gegenüberliegt;

- einen Einlasskanal (5), der durch den Ventilkörper (2) zwischen der wenigstens einen ersten Seite (3) und der wenigstens einen zweiten Seite (4) hindurchgeführt ist, wobei der Einlasskanal (5) im Wesentlichen geradlinig ausgebildet ist und gegenüberliegende Enden aufweist, die entsprechend an der ersten Seite (3) und der zweiten Seite (4) enden;

- einem Auslasskanal (6), der durch den Ventilkörper (2) zwischen der wenigstens einen ersten Seite (3) und der wenigstens einen zweiten Seite (4) hindurchgeführt ist, wobei der Auslasskanal (6) im Wesentlichen geradlinig ausgebildet ist und gegenüberliegende Enden aufweist, die entsprechend an der ersten Seite (3) und an der zweiten Seite (4) enden;

- einer ersten Öffnung (10A) und einer zweiten Öffnung (10B), die an dem Ventilkörper (2) zum Verbinden mit zwei Benutzern (A; B) ausgebildet sind;

- einem Verteiler (7; 13), der innerhalb des Ventilkörpers (2) ausgebildet ist und wenigstens vier Leitungen aufweist, wobei eine erste Leitung mit dem wenigstens einen Einlasskanal (5) verbunden ist, eine zweite und eine dritte Leitung mit der ersten Öffnung (10A) und entsprechend mit der zweiten Öffnung (10B) verbunden ist, und eine vierte Leitung mit dem wenigstens einen Auslasskanal (6) verbunden ist, wobei der Verteilter dazu ausgebildet ist, den Einlasskanal (5) selektiv mit der ersten Öffnung (10A) oder mit der zweiten Öffnung (10B) zu verbinden;

- einem Kompensator (8; 15), der innerhalb des Ventilkörpers (2) zwischen dem wenigstens einen Einlasskanal (5) und der ersten Leitung ausgebildet ist, um einen Druckabfall im Wesentlichen konstant zu halten und zwar zwischen dem Einlasskanal (5) und dem zwischen der ersten Öffnung (10A) und der zweiten Öffnung (10B), die mit der Einlassöffnung (5) selektiv verbunden ist, wobei der Kompensator eine Kompensatoraufnahme (8), die in dem Ventilkörper (2) ausgebildet ist und wenigstens ein Kompensatorelement (15) aufweist, das beweglich in der Kompensatoraufnahme (8) angeordnet ist, wobei das Kompensatorelement (15) gesteuert wird durch wenigstens ein elastisches Element und durch wenigstens ein Drucksignal, das von einer der ersten Öffnung (10A) und der zweiten Öffnung (10B) bereitgestellt wird, die mit der Einlassöffnung (5) selektiv verbunden ist;

- einem ersten Kanal (11), der in dem Ventilkörper (2) zum Verbinden des Einlasskanals (5) mit der Kompensatoraufnahme (8) ausgebildet ist;

- einem zweiten Kanal (12), der in dem Ventilkörper (2) zum Verbinden der Kompensatoraufnahme (8) mit der ersten Leitung des Verteilers ausgebildet ist; und

- einer Hilfsleitung (16), die zwischen der wenigstens einen ersten Seite (3) und der wenigstens einen zweiten Seite (4) durch den Ventilkörper (2) hindurchgeführt ist, wobei die Hilfsleitung (16) verbunden ist mit einer der ersten Öffnung (10A) und der zweiten Öffnung (10B), die selektiv mit dem ersten Einlasskanal (5) verbunden sind, wobei die erste Hilfsleitung (16) dazu ausgebildet ist, das Drucksignal hindurchzuleiten, wobei die erste Hilfsleitung (16) gegenüberliegende Enden aufweist, die entsprechend an der ersten Seite (3) und an der zweiten Seite (4) enden;
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

- wenigstens ein Teil des Auslasskanals (6) in einem Bereich des Ventilkörpers (2) zwischen dem ersten Kanal (11) und dem zweiten Kanal (12) ausgebildet ist;

- der Verteiler einen Positionsanzeiger (13) aufweist, der axial beweglich ist entlang einer Längsachse einer Verteileraufnahme (7), die parallel zu einer Längsachse der Kompensatoraufnahme (8) verläuft;

- der erste Kanal (11) und der zweite Kanal (12) sich vorwiegend auf derselben Ebene erstrecken, und zwar neben einer Ebene, die durch die Längsachse der Verteileraufnahme (7) und der Kompensatoraufnahme (8) verläuft;

- es ferner ein Dreiwegeventil umfasst, das eine erste Ventilleitung aufweist, die mit der ersten Öffnung (10A) verbunden ist, eine zweite Ventilleitung, die mit der zweiten Öffnung (10B) verbunden ist, und eine dritte Ventilleitung, die mit dem Kompensator und der Hilfsleitung verbunden ist, wobei das Drucksignal von der dritten Ventilleitung bereitgestellt wird; und

- das Dreiwegeventil eine bewegliche Blende aufweist, die die erste Ventilleitung oder die zweite Ventilleitung selektiv schließt, in Abhängigkeit welche Ventilleitung in dem Moment mit der Öffnung mittels des Verteilers verbunden ist, um entladen zu werden, wobei die bewegliche Blende die dritte Ventilleitung in Fluidverbindung mit einer der ersten Ventilleitung oder der zweiten Ventilleitung hält, die mittels des Verteilers mit der Eingangsleitung (5) verbunden ist.

2. Ventil nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Kompensatoraufnahme (8) zwischen dem Einlasskanal (5) und der Verteileraufnahme (7) derart angeordnet ist, dass das Durchleiten des Arbeitsfluids zwischen dem Einlasskanal (5) und der Verteileraufnahme (7) lediglich über die Durchleitung des Fluids durch wenigstens einen Teil der Kompensatoraufnahme (8) erfolgen kann, wobei der erste Kanal (11) zwei Enden aufweist, die entsprechend in dem Einlasskanal (5) und in einer Einlassausnehmung (81) des Hohlraums der Kompensatoraufnahme (8) enden, wobei der zweite Kanal (12) zwei Enden aufweist, die entsprechend in einer Auslassausnehmung (82) des Hohlraums der Kompensatoraufnahme (8) und in der Verteileraufnahme (7) enden.

3. Ventil nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die vorwiegende Ausdehnungsebene des ersten und des zweiten Kanals im Wesentlichen parallel zu der wenigstens einen ersten Seite (3) und/oder der wenigstens einen zweiten Seite (4) verläuft.

4. Ventil nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, wobei der Verteiler ein Vierwege- und Dreipositionenverteiler oder ein Vierwege- und Zweipositionenverteiler ist.

5. Ventil nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, wobei der Ventilkörper (2) eine dritte Seite (9) aufweist, die die erste Seite (3) mit der zweiten Seite (4) verbindet, wobei die erste Öffnung (10A) und die zweite Öffnung (10B) in der dritten Seite (9) ausgebildet sind, wobei der Positionsanzeiger (13) axial beweglich ist entlang einer Achse, die parallel zu der dritten Seite (9) verläuft und in einem ersten Abstand davon angeordnet ist, wobei das Kompensatorelement (15) axial beweglich ist entlang einer Achse, die parallel zu der dritten Seite (9) verläuft und in einem zweiten Abstand davon angeordnet ist, wobei der zweite Abstand größer ist als der erste Abstand.

6. Ventil nach Anspruch 5, wobei der Einlasskanal (5) eine Achse aufweist, die parallel zu der dritten Seite (9) verläuft und in einem dritten Abstand davon angeordnet ist, wobei der Auslasskanal (6) eine Achse aufweist, die parallel zu der dritten Seite (9) verläuft und in einem vierten Abstand davon angeordnet ist; wobei der dritte Abstand kleiner ist als der erste Abstand und/oder wobei der vierte Abstand größer ist als der erste Abstand und kleiner ist als der zweite Abstand.

7. Ventil nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, wobei die vierte Leitung zwei Ausnehmungen (74; 75) aufweist, die an axial gegenüberliegenden Enden der Verteileraufnahme (7) ausgebildet sind und mit dem Auslasskanal (6) durch entsprechend einen ersten Auslasszweig (61) und einen zweiten Auslasszweig (62) verbunden ist.

8. Ventil nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7, mit wenigstens einem Durchflussratenbegrenzungsbauteil (18), das funktional der ersten Öffnung (10A) und/oder der zweiten Öffnung (10B) zugeordnet ist.

9. Ventil nach Anspruch 8, wobei das Durchflussratenbegrenzungsbauteil eine Öffnung mit festgelegten Dimensionen aufweist.

10. Ventil nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9, wobei der erste Kanal (11) und der zweite Kanal (12) in einem Bereich des Ventilkörpers (2) ausgebildet sind, der zwischen einem der wenigstens einen ersten Seite (3) und der wenigstens einen zweiten Seite (4) aufgenommen ist, und einer Ebene, die durch die Längsachse der Verteileraufnahme (7) geführt ist und parallel zu der einen der wenigstens einen ersten Seite (3) und der wenigstens einen zweiten Seite (4) verläuft.

11. Ventil nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 10, wobei der Positionsanzeiger (3) wenigstens eine Auskehlung (14) aufweist, die an wenigstens einer Kante einer Dichtungszone bereitgestellt ist, die zwischen wenigstens zwei Ausnehmungen der Verteileraufnahme (7) wirkt.

12. Ventil nach Anspruch 11, wobei die Auskehlung (14) wenigstens teilweise durch eine abgewinkelte Fläche begrenzt ist.

13. Ventil nach Anspruch 11 oder 12, wobei der Positionsanzeiger (13) wenigstens eine weitere Auskehlung (14) aufweist, die der Auskehlung (14) diametral gegenüberliegt.

14. Ventil nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 13, wobei das Ventil dazu ausgebildet ist, den Benutzern (A; B) eine einstellbare maximale Flussrate bereitzustellen von wenigstens 35 Litern pro Minute mit einem differenziellen Druck von 8 Bar.

15. Ventil nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 14, wobei das Ventil mit Magnetsteuermitteln und mit einem Ein/Aus-Verteilungspositionsanzeiger bereitgestellt ist.

Revendications

1. Vanne (1) comprenant :

- un corps de vanne (2) ayant au moins une première face (3) et au moins une deuxième face (4) située à l'opposé de ladite au moins une première face (3) ;

- un conduit d'admission (5) qui passe à travers ledit corps de vanne (2) entre ladite au moins une première face (3) et ladite au moins une deuxième face (4), ledit conduit d'admission (5) étant sensiblement rectiligne et comportant des extrémités opposées qui se terminent respectivement au niveau de ladite première face (3) et au niveau de ladite deuxième face (4) ;

- un conduit d'évacuation (6) qui passe à travers ledit corps de vanne (2) entre ladite au moins une première face (3) et ladite au moins une deuxième face (4), ledit conduit d'évacuation (6) étant sensiblement rectiligne et comportant des extrémités opposées qui se terminent respectivement au niveau de ladite première face (3) et au niveau de ladite deuxième face (4) ;

- un premier orifice (10A) et un deuxième orifice (10B) disposés sur ledit corps de vanne (2) en vue d'un raccordement pour deux utilisateurs (A ; B) ;

- un dispositif de distribution (7 ; 13) disposé à l'intérieur dudit corps de vanne (2) et ayant au moins quatre voies, parmi lesquelles une première voie est reliée audit au moins un conduit d'admission (5), une deuxième voie et une troisième voie sont reliées audit premier orifice (10A) et, respectivement, audit deuxième orifice (10B), et une quatrième voie est reliée audit au moins un conduit d'évacuation (6), ledit dispositif de distribution étant configuré pour placer ledit conduit d'admission (5) en communication sélective avec ledit premier orifice (10A) ou avec ledit deuxième orifice (10B) ;

- un dispositif de compensation (8 ; 15) disposé à l'intérieur dudit corps de vanne (2) entre ledit au moins un conduit d'admission (5) et ladite première voie pour maintenir sensiblement constante une chute de pression entre ledit conduit d'admission (5) et celui des deux qui, parmi ledit premier orifice (10A) et ledit deuxième orifice (10B), est placé en communication sélective avec ledit conduit d'admission (5), ledit dispositif de compensation comprenant un siège de dispositif de compensation (8) disposé dans ledit corps de vanne (2) et au moins un élément de dispositif de compensation (15) qui est mobile dans ledit siège de dispositif de compensateur (8), ledit élément de dispositif de compensation (15) étant commandé par au moins un élément élastique et par au moins un signal de pression provenant de celui des deux qui, parmi ledit premier orifice (10A) et ledit deuxième orifice (10B), est placé en communication sélective avec ledit conduit d'admission (5) ;

- un premier conduit (11) qui est disposé dans ledit corps de vanne (2) pour relier ledit conduit d'admission (5) audit siège de dispositif de compensation (8) ;

- un deuxième conduit (12) qui est disposé dans ledit corps de vanne (2) pour relier ledit siège de dispositif de compensation (8) à ladite première voie du dispositif de distribution ; et

- un conduit auxiliaire (16) qui passe à travers ledit corps de vanne (2) entre ladite au moins une première face (3) et ladite au moins une deuxième face (4), ledit conduit auxiliaire (16) étant relié à celui des deux qui, parmi ledit premier orifice (10A) et ledit deuxième orifice (10B), est placé en communication sélective avec ledit conduit d'admission (5), ledit conduit auxiliaire (16) étant configuré pour le passage dudit signal de pression, ledit conduit auxiliaire (16) comportant des extrémités opposées qui se terminent, respectivement, au niveau de ladite première face (3) et au niveau de ladite deuxième face (4) ;
caractérisé en ce que :

- au moins une partie dudit conduit d'évacuation (6) est disposée dans une région dudit corps de vanne (2) comprise entre ledit premier conduit (11) et ledit deuxième conduit (12) ;

- ledit dispositif de distribution comporte un curseur (13) qui est mobile de manière axiale le long d'un axe longitudinal du siège de dispositif de distribution (7) qui est parallèle à un axe longitudinal dudit siège de dispositif de compensation (8) ;

- ledit premier conduit (11) et ledit deuxième conduit (12) s'étendent principalement dans un même plan situé au voisinage d'un plan passant par les axes longitudinaux desdits sièges de dispositif de distribution (7) et de dispositif de compensation (8) ;

- il comprend une vanne à trois voies qui comporte une première voie de vanne reliée au premier orifice (10A), une deuxième voie de vanne reliée au deuxième orifice (10B), et une troisième voie de vanne reliée audit dispositif de compensateur et audit conduit auxiliaire, ledit signal de pression provenant de ladite troisième voie de vanne ; et

- la vanne à trois voies comporte un dispositif d'obturation mobile qui, de manière sélective, ferme la première voie de vanne ou la deuxième voie de vanne selon celle des voies de vanne qui est reliée à l'orifice avec lequel un raccordement est établi à ce moment par le dispositif de distribution pour une évacuation, ledit dispositif d'obturation mobile laissant la troisième voie de vanne en communication de fluide avec celle des deux qui, parmi la première voie de vanne et la deuxième voie de vanne, est reliée par l'intermédiaire du dispositif de distribution audit conduit d'admission (5).

2. Vanne selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle ledit siège de dispositif de compensation (8) est interposé entre ledit conduit d'admission (5) et ledit siège de dispositif de distribution (7) d'une manière telle que le passage du fluide de fonctionnement entre le conduit d'admission (5) et le siège de dispositif de distribution (7) ne peut se produire que par le passage du fluide à travers au moins une partie du siège de dispositif de compensation (8), ledit premier conduit (11) comportant deux extrémités qui se terminent, respectivement, au niveau dudit conduit d'admission (5) et dans un renfoncement d'admission (81) de la cavité dudit siège de dispositif de compensation (8), ledit deuxième conduit (12) comportant deux extrémités qui se terminent, respectivement, dans un renfoncement d'évacuation (82) de la cavité dudit siège de dispositif de compensation (8) et dans ledit siège de dispositif de distribution (7).

3. Vanne selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans laquelle ledit plan d'extension principale desdits premier et deuxième conduits est sensiblement parallèle à ladite au moins une première face (3) et/ou à ladite au moins une deuxième face (4).

4. Vanne selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, dans laquelle ledit dispositif de distribution est du type à quatre voies et à trois positions ou du type à quatre voies et à deux positions.

5. Vanne selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, ledit corps de vanne (2) ayant une troisième face (9) qui relie ladite première face (3) à ladite deuxième face (4), ledit premier orifice (10A) et ledit deuxième orifice (10B) étant disposés sur ladite troisième face (9), ledit curseur (13) étant mobile de manière axiale le long d'un axe qui est parallèle à ladite troisième face (9) et étant placé à une première distance de celle-ci, ledit élément de dispositif de compensation (15) étant mobile de manière axiale le long d'un axe qui est parallèle à ladite troisième face (9) et étant placé à une deuxième distance de celle-ci, ladite deuxième distance étant supérieure à ladite première distance.

6. Vanne selon la revendication 5, dans laquelle ledit conduit d'admission (5) comporte un axe qui est parallèle à ladite troisième face (9) et est situé à une troisième distance de celle-ci, ledit conduit d'évacuation (6) comportant un axe qui est parallèle à ladite troisième face (9) et étant situé à une quatrième distance de celle-ci, et dans laquelle ladite troisième distance est inférieure à ladite première distance et/ou dans laquelle ladite quatrième distance est supérieure à ladite première distance et inférieure à ladite deuxième distance.

7. Vanne selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, dans laquelle ladite quatrième voie comprend deux renfoncements (74 ; 75) disposés au niveau de deux extrémités axialement opposées dudit siège de dispositif de distribution (7) et reliés audit conduit d'évacuation (6) par l'intermédiaire, respectivement, d'une première branche d'évacuation (61) et d'une deuxième branche d'évacuation (62).

8. Vanne selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, comprenant au moins un dispositif de limitation du débit d'écoulement (18) qui est associé de manière fonctionnelle audit premier orifice (10A) et/ou audit deuxième orifice (10B).

9. Vanne selon la revendication 8, dans laquelle ledit dispositif de limitation du débit d'écoulement comporte un orifice de dimensions fixées prédéfinies.

10. Vanne selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9, dans laquelle ledit premier conduit (11) et ledit deuxième conduit (12) sont disposés dans une région dudit corps de vanne (2) comprise entre l'une des deux, parmi ladite au moins une première face (3) et ladite au moins une deuxième face (4), et un plan qui passe par ledit axe longitudinal dudit siège de dispositif de distribution (7) et qui est parallèle à ladite une des deux parmi ladite au moins une première face (3) et ladite au moins une deuxième face (4).

11. Vanne selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10, dans laquelle ledit curseur (13) comprend au moins une niche (14) prévue sur au moins un bord d'une zone d'étanchéité qui est fonctionnelle entre au moins deux renfoncements dudit siège de dispositif de distribution (7).

12. Vanne selon la revendication 11, dans laquelle ladite niche (14) est limitée au moins partiellement par une surface inclinée.

13. Vanne selon la revendication 11 ou 12, dans laquelle ledit curseur (13) comprend au moins une niche additionnelle (14) diamétralement opposée à ladite niche (14).

14. Vanne selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 13, ladite vanne étant configurée en vue d'un débit d'écoulement maximal ajustable pour lesdits utilisateurs (A ; B) qui est d'au moins 35 litres par minute avec une pression différentielle de 8 bars.

15. Vanne selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 14, ladite vanne étant prévue avec des moyens de commande magnétiques et avec un curseur MARCHE / ARRET du dispositif de distribution.

Drawing