Pressure reducer being at the same time shut-off valve

Abstract

 A device is described for stopping and restoring the flow of pressure reducers, comprising: a main body (1) housing a check valve (7); a cover (2), that houses a pressure-regulating screw (10) and its related spring (12); and a vessel (3) connected to the main body (1), the vessel (3) housing a pin (5') connected to a knob (5), the pin (5') being adapted, by exerting a rotation of the knob (5), to rise and, by means of an interposed washer (4), to blocks a shutting valve (6) contained in the body (1), thereby stopping the pressure flow, the pressure reducer thereby also performing the function of intercepting tap.

Description

[0001] The present invention refers to a device for stopping and restoring the flow of pressure reducers, particularly, but not exclusively, aimed to be used for drinkable water, also for human use.

[0002] Such stopping device allows locking the flow without modifying the chosen calibration of the downstream pressure upon restoring the flow.

[0003] With such device, the pressure reducer, in addition to performing its normal task of reducing and checking the downstream pressure level, also performs the function of stop or intercepting tap, so that it prevents such tap from being installed downstream, and also avoiding that, upon restoring the flow, it is necessary to proceed with the recalibration of the previously-set outlet (downstream) pressure.

[0004] No prior devices of this type are known.

[0005] Object of the present invention is therefore providing a device of the above type with which the correct operation of the downstream plant can also be checked, even without an intercepting tap (that stops the related flow) placed upstream of the same reducer: therefore, after having used the device, it is not necessary to proceed with a new calibration since the previously-set pressure is not subjected to variations.

[0006] This same device can further be equipped with a plug that, with interrupted flow, has the function of verifying the correct seal of the check (or non-return) valve, since water in drawing taps placed downstream is not allowed, for any reason, to go upstream due to contamination reasons.

[0007] The above and other objects and advantages of the invention, as will result from the following description, are obtained with a device as claimed in claim 1. Preferred embodiments and non-trivial variations of the present invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0008] It will be immediately obvious that numerous variations and modifications (for example related to shape, sizes, arrangements and parts with equivalent functionality) can be made to the invention, without departing from its scope as appears from the enclosed claims.

[0009] The present invention will be better described by some preferred embodiments thereof, provided as a non-limiting example, with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 shows a sectional side view of a preferred embodiment of the device of the invention in a position of normal operation of the reducer;
• Figure 2 shows a sectional side view of the reducer in a locking position of the valve for stopping the flow;
• Figure 3 shows the device in a position of unscrewed contact lock to verify the operation of the check valve 7; and
• Figures 4 and 5 show a variation of the device of the invention.

[0010] With reference to the Figures, the device of the invention is used for stopping and restoring the flow of pressure reducers, and substantially comprises:

• a main body 1;
• a cover 2, that houses a pressure-regulating screw 10 and its related spring 12; and
• a vessel 3, that normally only operates as guide of the valve for regulating the flow pressure, in the device of the invention is also used for housing a pin 5' connected to a knob 5.

[0011] By exerting a suitable rotation of the knob 5, the pin 5' rises and, by means of an interposed washer 4 (equipped with its necessary sealing members), blocks the shutting valve 6, stopping the flow. In practice, in such a way, the pressure reducer also performs the function of intercepting tap (position shown in Figure 2).

[0012] With the flow now stopped, the seal of the check valve 7, placed downstream, can be verified by unscrewing plug 8 (position shown in Figure 3).

[0013] At the end of the check, the plug 8 will be re-screwed and with a suitable rotation exerted on the knob 5 (contrary to the previous one), the shutting and regulating valve 6 will be freed, and in such a way, the same previously existing pressure will be re-established downstream, without needing new regulations (return to the position shown in Figure 1).

[0014] The vessel 3 operates therefore as carrier structure for the moving components of the inventive part of the device of the invention: in fact, it housed the thrusting washer 4 together with the knob 5; such vessel 3 can be made both of plastic and of metallic material and can have any shape suitable for its purpose.

[0015] The knob 5 is the member that transmits the functional movements: it is equipped with a through-hole 14 for the components used for testing, and houses the plug 8, suitable for the plant checks; in particular cases, it could be made also without hole 14 and plug 8.

[0016] The knob 5 further houses and holds the washer 4, but remains free of rotating inside the washer 4, allowing to transform the rotary movement into a linear (front-back) movement: this in order to avoid the possible unscrewing of the shutting valve 6. Also the knob 5 can be made both of plastic and of metallic material.

[0017] The washer 4, as seen, is equipped with suitable sealing gaskets and it is the interposed member that exerts the thrust or retracts for closing and opening the flow on the shutting valve 6. Also the washer 4 can be made both of plastic and of metallic material.

[0018] Figures 4 and 5 show an alternative embodiment of the device of the invention, with a reduced number of sealing members next to the thrusting washer 4.

[0019] The improvement of this alternative embodiment only affects the thrusting mechanism, and consists in that, in the previously-described version, the pin 5' of the knob 5, receiving the rotation, was lifted and also had to rotate inside the washer 4, while the washer 4, due to friction on an external gasket (not shown), must not rotate in order not to impress an unsuitable rotary movement to the shutting valve 6. After a long period of inactivity of the system, possible frictions could have occurred between knob 5 and washer 4, with the possible transmission of rotary forces (even if weak and scarcely relevant forces) at the base of the shutting valve 6 through the washer 4.

[0020] Instead, in this alternative embodiment, such possible inconvenience is solved: in fact, when examining Figure 5, it can be seen that, by rotating the knob 5 (this remains the only piece to rotate), the knob 5 gives the thrusting washer 4 only a linear (not rotary) movement, since a suitable female guide (in Figure 5 of an hexagonal shape, but any shape can be used) is obtained in the vessel 3, such guide being suitable to receive the linear sliding of the thrusting washer 4 equipped with a related male guide. Such alternative embodiment prevents the shutting valve 6 from receiving (even accidentally) an even small rotary force.

[0021] As can be seen in Figure 5, the thrusting washer 4 (which, when assembled, becomes a single piece) has a through-hole 14 that allows fluid to pass for the functional tests of the device, as described for the previous embodiment.

[0022] The device of the present invention, as described above, is useful since it is not mandatory any more to install an intercepting tap (flow stopping member) upstream: in fact, the pressure reducer of the invention also performs the function of such intercepting tap. This allows verifying and possibly intervening on the downstream plant; moreover, upon re-opening the flow, it is not necessary to proceed with the recalibration of the previously-set pressure. Thereby, more reduced spaces are needed for installing the device of the present invention.

Claims

1. Device for stopping and restoring the flow of pressure reducers, comprising:

- a main body (1) housing a check valve (7);

- a cover (2), that houses a pressure-regulating screw (10) and its related spring (12); characterised in that it further comprises:

- a vessel (3) connected to said main body (1), said vessel (3) housing a pin (5') connected to a knob (5), said pin (5') being adapted, by exerting a rotation of the knob (5), to rise and, by means of an interposed washer (4), to block a shutting valve (6) contained in said body (1), thereby stopping the pressure flow, the pressure reducer thereby also performing the function of intercepting tap.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that, when the pressure flow is stopped, the seal of said check valve (7), placed downstream, is adapted to be verified by unscrewing a plug (8) operatively connected to said knob (5), while, at the end of the check, the plug (8) is adapted to be re-screwed and with a suitable contrary rotation exerted on the knob (5), to free the shutting valve (6), thereby re-establishing the same previously existing pressure downstream.

3. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said washer (4) is equipped with sealing members.

4. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said knob (5) is equipped with a through-hole (14) for the components used for testing, and houses said plug (8), suitable for the plant checks.

5. Device according to claim 4, characterised in that said knob (5) is made without said hole (14) and said plug (8).

6. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said vessel (3) is made of plastic material.

7. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said vessel (3) is made of metallic material.

8. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said knob (5) is made of plastic material.

9. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said knob (5) is made of metallic material.

10. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said washer (4) is made of plastic material.

11. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said washer (4) is made of metallic material.

12. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said vessel (3) is connected to said knob (5) and is equipped with a female guide which is adapted to be coupled with a male guide with which said washer (4) is equipped, so that said washer (4) and therefore said shutting valve (6) are subjected only to a linear movement when said knob (5) is rotated, said pin (5') being adapted, by exerting a rotation of the knob (5), to rise and, by means of said washer (4), to block said shutting valve (6) contained in said body (1), thereby stopping the pressure flow, the pressure reducer thereby also performing the function of intercepting tap.

Amended claims

Amended claims in accordance with Rule 137(2) EPC.

1. Device for stopping and restoring the flow of pressure reducers, comprising:

- a main body (1) housing a check valve (7) ;

- a cover (2), that houses a pressure-regulating screw (10) and its related spring (12); and

- a vessel (3) connected to said main body (1) ; characterised in that said vessel (3) houses a pin (5') connected to a knob (5), said vessel (3) being connected to said knob (5) and being equipped with a female guide which is adapted to be coupled with a male guide with which said washer (4) is equipped, so that said washer (4) and therefore said shutting valve (6) are subjected only to a linear movement when said knob (5) is rotated, said pin (5') being adapted, by exerting a rotation of the knob (5), to rise and, by means of said washer (4), to block said shutting valve (6) contained in said body (1), thereby stopping the pressure flow, the pressure reducer thereby also performing the function of intercepting tap.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that, when the pressure flow is stopped, the seal of said check valve (7), placed downstream, is adapted to be verified by unscrewing a plug (8) operatively connected to said knob (5), while, at the end of the check, the plug (8) is adapted to be re-screwed and with a suitable contrary rotation exerted on the knob (5), to free the shutting valve (6), thereby re-establishing the same previously existing pressure downstream.

3. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said washer (4) is equipped with sealing members.

4. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said knob (5) is equipped with a through-hole (14) for the components used for testing, and houses said plug (8), suitable for the plant checks.

5. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said knob (5) is made without said hole (14) and said plug (8).

6. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said vessel (3) is made of plastic material.

7. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said vessel (3) is made of metallic material.

8. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said knob (5) is made of plastic material.

9. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said knob (5) is made of metallic material.

10. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said washer (4) is made of plastic material.

11. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said washer (4) is made of metallic material.

Drawing