U.S. patent application number 10/898010 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-26 for poppet valve stabilizer.
Invention is credited to Gray, Stanley R., Marshall, Robert R., Stoll, Herbert M. III.
Application Number | 20050112038 10/898010 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34594545 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050112038 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stoll, Herbert M. III ; et
al. |
May 26, 2005 |
Poppet valve stabilizer
Abstract
A stabilizing assembly for a poppet valve in a regenerative
thermal oxidizer comprises a plurality of rigid bars, spanning a
poppet valve gap, arranged circumferentially around a chamber
outlet.
Inventors: |
Stoll, Herbert M. III;
(Eugene, OR) ; Marshall, Robert R.; (Veneta,
OR) ; Gray, Stanley R.; (Eugene, OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KOLISCH HARTWELL, P.C.
520 S.W. YAMHILL STREET
SUITE 200
PORTLAND
OR
97204
US
|
Family ID: |
34594545 |
Appl. No.: |
10/898010 |
Filed: |
July 23, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60490348 |
Jul 24, 2003 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
422/175 ;
422/168 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F23G 7/068 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
422/175 ;
422/168 |
International
Class: |
F01N 003/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A regenerative thermal oxidizer comprising a first chamber
having an inlet for receiving contaminated process effluent gas,
and an outlet in a first wall for allowing gas to exit the chamber,
a second wall located outside the first chamber substantially
parallel to the first wall, a gap being defined between the first
and second walls, a poppet valve assembly operatively installed
between the first and second walls to control opening and closing
of the outlet, the poppet valve having a shaft oriented centrally
relative to the outlet and perpendicularly relative to the first
and second walls, and a disc member connected to the shaft, the
disc member being dimensioned to cover the outlet, a drive
mechanism connected to the shaft configured to move the shaft back
and forth along an axis perpendicular to the plane of the outlet so
that the disc moves between an open position in which gas can pass
through the outlet and a closed position in which the disc
substantially seals the outlet preventing gas from escaping the
first chamber, a plurality of rigid rod structures spanning the gap
and connecting the first and second walls, arranged
circumferentially around the outlet.
2. The oxidizer of claim 1, wherein the outlet in the first chamber
is circular.
3. The oxidizer of claim 1, wherein the rod structures are made of
steel.
4. The oxidizer of claim 1, wherein the there are at least eight
rods evenly spaced around the outlet.
5. The oxidizer of claim 1, wherein the first wall includes an
annular rigid structure circumscribing the outlet.
6. A regenerative thermal oxidizer comprising a first chamber
having an inlet for receiving contaminated process effluent gas,
and an outlet in a first wall for allowing gas to exit the chamber,
a second wall located outside the first chamber substantially
parallel to the first wall, a gap being defined between the first
and second walls, a poppet valve assembly operatively installed
between the first and second walls to control opening and closing
of the outlet, the poppet valve having a shaft oriented centrally
relative to the outlet and perpendicularly relative to the first
and second walls, and a disc member connected to the shaft, the
disc member being dimensioned to cover the outlet, a drive
mechanism connected to the shaft configured to move the shaft back
and forth along an axis perpendicular to the plane of the outlet so
that the disc moves between an open position in which gas can pass
through the outlet and a closed position in which the disc
substantially seals the outlet preventing gas from escaping the
first chamber, a rigid support structure spanning the gap and
connecting the first and second walls, arranged circumferentially
around the outlet.
7. The oxidizer of claim 6, wherein the rigid support structure
includes a plurality of rigid connecting the first and second
walls, evenly spaced around the outlet.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119
and applicable foreign and international law and incorporates in
its entirety the following U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.
No. 60/490,348 filed Jul. 24, 2003.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to regenerative thermal oxidizers
(RTO) for converting solvent laden gases to CO.sub.2 and
H.sub.20.
BACKGROUND
[0003] RTOs typically have multiple chambers separated by one or
more poppet valves. A poppet valve controls the flow of gas in and
out of the chambers. Examples of RTOs are shown in U.S. Pat. No.
6,039,927 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,129,139, each of which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0004] Proper and efficient operation of the RTO depends on the
ability of a poppet valve to maintain a tight seal around a chamber
opening. However, with repeated forceful opening and closing, the
valves tend to deteriorate over time. The high force with which the
valves close, or "slam" shut, typically tends to cause premature
wear of valve seats. Lack of constant air pressure in the RTOs, and
temperature variability of many hydraulic fluids, and ambient
variances all cause inconsistent strains and stresses on the poppet
valve.
THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an RTO.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of a stabilized poppet
valve in an RTO.
DESCRIPTION
[0007] FIG. 1 shows RTO unit 20. Oxidizer 20 has separate chambers
22 and 24 separated by a poppet valve (not visible in FIG. 1). Door
26 is provided on the side of RTO 20. FIG. 2 shows the view seen
when door 26 is open.
[0008] In FIG. 2, poppet valve 30 includes shaft 32 which is driven
left and right (axially) by pneumatic cylinder 33 (FIG. 1). When
shaft 32 moves left, poppet blade 34 also moves left opening
chamber 22, allowing gas to flow in and/or out.
[0009] The apparatus shown in FIG. 2 employs stabilizing bars 38
across gap 36. A significant problem with prior poppet valves in
RTOs is that the seal around poppet blade 34 becomes flawed or
degraded, especially after extended use. The quality of the seal
around poppet blade 34 is important for oxidizer performance.
Stabilizing bars 38 rigidify the relative positions of structures
on opposite sides of the poppet valve resulting in superior poppet
valve performance over time.
[0010] In the example shown in FIG. 2, bars 38 rigidly connect
frame components around the chamber opening. Specifically, frame
component 50 is a rigid structural annular component circumscribing
the opening to the chamber. As shown, eight stabilizing bars are
used to support the poppet valve. However, other similar
structures, or numbers of bars may also be used, provided the gap
space remains relatively open while the gap space and poppet valve
mechanics are substantially stabilized.
[0011] The disclosure set forth above may encompass multiple
distinct inventions with independent utility. Although each of
these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form(s), the
specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein
are not to be considered in a limiting sense, because numerous
variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions
includes all novel and nonobvious combinations and subcombinations
of the various elements, features, functions, and/or properties
disclosed herein. Inventions embodied in other combinations and
subcombinations of features, functions, elements, and/or properties
may be claimed in applications claiming priority from this or a
related application. Such claims, whether directed to a different
invention or to the same invention, and whether broader, narrower,
equal, or different in scope to the original claims, also are
regarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of
the present disclosure.
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