U.S. patent application number 15/408819 was filed with the patent office on 2017-05-04 for valve seal.
The applicant listed for this patent is Merck Chemicals and Life Science AB. Invention is credited to Lennart Myhrberg, Hakan Samuelsson, Bertil Wejrot.
Application Number | 20170122442 15/408819 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39367558 |
Filed Date | 2017-05-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170122442 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Myhrberg; Lennart ; et
al. |
May 4, 2017 |
Valve Seal
Abstract
A device in a valve (1) comprises a valve housing (2) with at
least a first (3) and a second (4) fluid port. A closure element
(5) is arranged in the valve housing (2), said closure element (5)
having a sealing portion (15) and comprising a diaphragm (30). The
sealing portion (15) is movable along an axis of the closure
element (5) by said diaphragm (30) between an open position and a
closed position of at least one of the fluid ports of the valve
housing. The closure element (5) together with the valve housing
(2) forms a flow passage (11) in the valve housing (2) which
communicates with said fluid ports when the sealing portion (15)
leaves said closed position. A second sealing portion (14) of the
closure element, which is an enclosing portion spaced from said
axis, is arranged in contact with a support portion (25) of the
valve housing (2). An abutment means (16) is arranged in contact
along the periphery of said second sealing portion (14) in such a
manner that said second sealing portion (14) is arranged between
the support portion (25) and the abutment means (16). The abutment
means (16) is arranged to transmit a force via said second sealing
portion (14) toward the support portion (25) to provide a seal.
Said force is, at least partly, a force exerted by a spring means
arranged in the device.
Inventors: |
Myhrberg; Lennart;
(Alvangen, SE) ; Samuelsson; Hakan; (Onsala,
SE) ; Wejrot; Bertil; (Partille, SE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Merck Chemicals and Life Science AB |
Solna |
|
SE |
|
|
Family ID: |
39367558 |
Appl. No.: |
15/408819 |
Filed: |
January 18, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14554855 |
Nov 26, 2014 |
|
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15408819 |
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|
13087201 |
Apr 14, 2011 |
8919733 |
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14554855 |
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|
12068096 |
Feb 1, 2008 |
7980531 |
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13087201 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16K 1/42 20130101; F16K
41/12 20130101; F16K 7/16 20130101; F16K 41/103 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F16K 1/42 20060101
F16K001/42 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 2, 2007 |
SE |
0700265-2 |
Claims
1. A valve, comprising: a valve housing with at least a first and a
second fluid port; a closure element, arranged in the valve
housing, having a first sealing portion and a second sealing
portion, the first sealing portion being movable between an open
position and a closed position inside the valve housing, and the
second sealing portion adapted to come in contact with a seat
portion of the valve housing; and an abutment element adapted to
urge a periphery of said second sealing portion toward the seat
portion of the valve housing to provide a seal, wherein the
abutment element comprises a spring.
2. The valve of claim 1, wherein said abutment element comprises a
torsion spring.
3. The valve of claim 1, wherein said abutment element comprises a
resilient spring.
4. The valve of claim 1, wherein said abutment element comprises a
spring washer.
5. The valve of claim 1, wherein said closure element comprises an
opening for accommodating an actuator, said actuator being adapted
to move the first sealing portion between said open position and
said closed position.
6. The valve of claim 5, wherein said actuator does not move said
second sealing portion in a direction parallel to a longitudinal
axis of the actuator.
7. A valve, comprising: a valve housing having an inlet and an
outlet; a closure element, arranged inside the valve housing,
having a first sealing portion and a second sealing portion,
wherein the first sealing portion is movable from a first position
within the valve housing to permit fluid flow between said inlet
and said outlet to a second position within the valve housing to
prevent fluid flow between said inlet and said outlet, and wherein
the second sealing portion is adapted to maintain a seal between a
first portion of said valve housing and a second portion of said
valve housing when the first sealing portion is moved from the
first position to the second position; and an abutment element
arranged inside said valve housing, wherein said abutment element
is adapted to urge said second sealing portion toward a seat of the
valve housing to provide a seal.
8. The valve of claim 7, wherein said abutment element comprises a
compression spring.
9. The valve of claim 8, wherein said abutment element is tensioned
by a compression spring.
10. The valve of claim 8, wherein said abutment element is
tensioned by a spring washer.
Description
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 14/554,855, filed Nov. 26, 2014, which is a continuation
of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/087,201, filed Apr. 14, 2011
(now U.S. Pat. No. 8,919,733, issued Dec. 30, 2014), which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/068,096, filed
Feb. 1, 2008 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,980,531, issued Jul. 19, 2011),
the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a device in a valve
comprising a valve housing with at least a first and a second fluid
port. A closure element is arranged in the valve housing, which
closure element has a sealing portion and comprises a diaphragm.
The sealing portion is movable along an axis of the closure element
by said diaphragm between an open position and a closed position of
at lease one of the fluid ports of the valve housing. The closure
element together with the valve housing forms a flow passage in the
valve housing which communicates with said fluid ports when the
sealing portion leaves said closed position. A second sealing
portion of the closure element, which is an enclosing portion
spaced from said axis, is arranged in contact with a support
portion of the valve housing. An abutment means is arranged in
contact along the periphery of said second sealing portion in such
a manner that said second sealing portion is arranged between the
support portion and the abutment means. The abutment means is
arranged to transmit a force via said second sealing portion toward
the support portion to provide a seal.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Valves of the above type are well known. Such valves are
used in the first place in applications where high cleanness is
required. Such applications can be various fluid engineering
processes or process steps, for example for pharmaceutical and food
technology purposes or other types of chemical purposes. Many fluid
products are expensive and/or susceptible to contamination or
dangerous in case of leakage, which means that leakage can result
in an unhealthy environment for the user of a product or an
environment. Tightness of a valve of the type stated above thus is
crucial.
[0004] In valves of this type, a diaphragm element is operated
between an open and a closed position. Fluid flowing in the valve
housing can thus be easily and safely handled in an adjustable
manner. The operation of the valve can take place in various ways,
for example using manual or pneumatic control.
[0005] Furthermore, valves of this type should in their open
position have good flow capacity without the valve being a
substantial obstacle, thereby reducing the risk of the valve
accumulating contaminants, such as dirt and deposits. The valve
should also be absolutely tight. This condition may sometimes be
difficult to achieve, for instance when using aggressive chemicals.
In such cases, the sealing surfaces of the valve can be subjected
to wear which results in, for instance, the material aging,
becoming brittle and losing its elasticity, which may cause cracks
and/or yielding and, later on, leakage.
[0006] There are thus many requirements that should be met by this
type of valve, for instance good operability, good flow capacity,
good tightness, sufficient cleanness.
[0007] In addition to these requirements, there are a number of
ranges that should also be improved. These ranges of problems
involve the following points [0008] that the valve ensures good
sealing in spite of great variations in pressure and temperature of
the fluid, [0009] that the valve ensures good sealing in spite of
any plastic deformation, [0010] that the valve has good
repeatability of sealing pressure when mounting the closure
element.
[0011] In sealing, an elastic packing is usually compressed by
prestressing a bolt. However, problems may arise after a while when
the elastic material ages or is plastically deformed, which may
result in leakage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] An object of the present invention therefore is to provide a
device in a valve, which satisfies one or more of the
above-mentioned points.
[0013] A further object is to provide a device which has a
tightness adapted to the purpose.
[0014] This is achieved by the device in a valve stated by way of
introduction comprising a valve housing with at least a first and a
second fluid port, a closure element being arranged in the valve
housing, said closure element having a sealing portion and
comprising a diaphragm, the sealing portion being movable along an
axis of the closure element by said diaphragm between an open
position and a closed position of at least one of the fluid ports
of the valve housing, the closure element together with the valve
housing forming a flow passage in the valve housing which
communicates with said fluid ports when the sealing portion leaves
said closed position, a second sealing portion of the closure
element, which is an enclosing portion spaced from said axis, being
arranged in contact with a support portion of the valve housing, an
abutment means being arranged in contact along the periphery of
said second sealing portion in such a manner that said second
sealing portion is arranged between the support portion and the
abutment means, the abutment means being arranged to transmit a
force via said second sealing portion toward the support portion to
provide a seal, wherein said force is, at least partly, a force
exerted by a spring means arranged in the device.
[0015] By fluid is meant in the first place liquids, liquid
solutions, dispersions, suspensions etc. In the second place, fluid
relates to gases, gas-liquid mixtures or gases in combination with
one of the above. By spring means is meant spring assemblies with
"mechanical resilience" and not compression of, for example, a
packing made of an elastic material such as rubber, or the
resilience which is provided with only one prestressed bolt.
[0016] Preferably, said spring means is selected from the group
consisting of torsion springs and springs with a bending
action.
[0017] A great advantage of a device according to the invention
thus is that a certain pressure or sealing is continuously
maintained independently of movements of the parts included in the
valve due to temperature changes or cold flow/plastic
deformation.
[0018] Preferably, said second sealing portion of the closure
element has a sealing region and the valve housing has a
complementary seat portion for mutual sealing.
[0019] Furthermore the sealing portion of the closure element is
suitably operably connected by an actuator, the device having a
coupling device, which has a locking means adapted to be arranged
to the valve housing and an actuating device adapted to be
connected to the coupling device to operate the actuator.
[0020] Further the actuator is preferably elongated and arranged in
such a manner that its longitudinal axis coincides with said axis
of the closure element and further arranged in an actuating hole
through a hole in the coupling device.
[0021] In one embodiment, the abutment means is adjustably arranged
in the coupling device by a thread bushing.
[0022] The thread bushing is suitably externally threaded and
connected to the hole in the coupling device.
[0023] In one embodiment, a compression spring is arranged in such
a manner as to generate a compressive force parallel to said
axis.
[0024] In an alternative embodiment, a spring washer is arranged in
such a manner as to generate a compressive force parallel to said
axis.
[0025] In yet another alternative embodiment, the actual abutment
means is a compression spring.
[0026] When the device is positioned as intended in an assembled
valve, the abutment means will preferably abut against the closure
element. Above all due to temperature changes, the various
components included in the device change in size, which means that
sealing over a long period can be improved by said spring
force.
[0027] In one embodiment, the coupling device can be connected to
the valve housing by a locking means. The coupling device has a
connectable actuating device. The actuating device is in turn
connected to the actuator to operate the valve.
[0028] The actuator is preferably centrally arranged in an
actuating hole through a hole in the coupling device. As a result,
the closure element can be operated in an easy and reliable
manner.
[0029] The actuator is suitably a centrally arranged spindle, which
at one end is connectable to the actuating device and, at its other
end, is connectable to the closure element. This results in the
advantage that the closure element can be operated in an easy and
reliable manner.
[0030] The abutment means is preferably centrally axially
adjustably arranged relative to the coupling device for applying
the abutment means and toward the closure element. Furthermore the
abutment means is suitably adjustably arranged in the coupling
device by a thread bushing. The thread bushing is advantageously
externally threaded and connected to the hole in the coupling
device. Thus the valve obtains a good adjustable and controllable
capability between the abutment means and the closure element.
[0031] The closure element preferably is made of an at least partly
flexible and rigid material. This means that the closure element
obtains the desired sealing properties that are required in the
application concerned.
[0032] By flexible material is in the first place meant a bendable
and bulgeable material having a resistance adapted to function and
application.
[0033] The closure element can be made of, for example, a resilient
soft material. The closure element will thus have the sealing
properties that are required in the application concerned.
[0034] The closure element is suitably curved radially inward
adjacent a passage portion which together with the inside of the
valve housing forms a cavity when the closure element is closed.
Thus, the valve obtains good flow capacity when the closure element
leaves the closed position.
[0035] The abutment means can be made of, for example, a soft
material. In addition, the abutment means can be exchanged if
required by the valve application.
[0036] An upper end of the closure element is preferably radially
spaced from the inner wall of the valve housing in the mounted
state. This results in the advantages that the upper end of the
closure element, in this case, does not abut against the side walls
of the valve housing, which in that case would cause a risk of
resistance in mounting and operation.
[0037] The closure element is preferably adapted to be applied to a
support portion, which at least partly extends peripherally in the
valve housing. The closure element flexes, for example about a seat
portion in operation. Consequently, the valve obtains both the
intended sealing function and the required operating function for
the valve to work as desired.
[0038] The closure element can, for example, maintain the open
position when no actuating forces act on the closure element. The
closure element can in this way be retained in the open position
without being subjected to any great stress that could result in
wear.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0039] The invention will in the following be described with
reference to the accompanying drawings, which by way of example
illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention.
[0040] FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded view of a device in a valve
according to a first embodiment of the invention.
[0041] FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded view, seen in perspective
from below, of the device in FIG. 1.
[0042] FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded view of a longitudinal
section of the device according to FIG. 1 or alternatively FIG.
2.
[0043] FIG. 4a shows a part of a device in a valve, according to
FIG. 1, in the mounted state, illustrating a mounting position.
[0044] FIG. 4b shows a part of a device in a valve, according to
FIG. 1, in the mounted state, which illustrates a press-fit
position.
[0045] FIG. 5a is a longitudinal section of a device in a valve
according to FIG. 1, in the mounted state, illustrating an open
position.
[0046] FIG. 5b is a longitudinal section of a device in a valve
according to FIG. 1, in the mounted state, illustrating a closed
position.
[0047] FIGS. 6a-6c illustrate an alternative embodiment of the
device according to the present invention.
[0048] FIGS. 7a and 7b illustrate another embodiment of the device
according to the present invention.
[0049] FIGS. 8a and 8b illustrate another alternative embodiment of
the device according to the present invention.
[0050] FIG. 9 shows yet another embodiment of the device according
to the present invention.
[0051] FIG. 10 shows a further embodiment of the device according
to the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0052] FIG. 1 illustrates a valve 1 with a device according to a
first preferred embodiment of the invention. The valve 1 comprises
a valve housing 2 of prior art type, which has an internal,
preferably cylindrical cavity. The valve housing has at least a
first fluid port 3 and a second fluid port 4. The first fluid port
3 is preferably arranged in a lower portion 13 of the valve housing
and suitably forms an inlet port, see FIG. 1. The second fluid port
is preferably arranged in the side wall of the valve housing 2 and
suitably forms an outlet port.
[0053] A preferably movable closure element 5 is adapted to be
arranged in the cavity of the valve housing 2. The closure element
is preferably rotationally symmetrical with an upper end, a sealing
portion 14, adapted to an upper portion 12 of the valve housing 2.
The closure element 5 has another sealing portion 15, in this
embodiment a lower end, which is adapted to a lower portion 13 of
the valve housing 2 to be mutually sealable adjacent the first
fluid port 3 in use. With reference to FIG. 2, the central portion
of the closure element 5 between said ends has a preferably
waist-like shape which is adapted to a passage portion 11 adjacent
the second fluid port 4.
[0054] With reference to FIG. 3, the closure element 5 has a second
sealing portion 14, in this embodiment an upper end, suitably a
hole 27 which extends in the axial direction, downward, into the
closure element 5. The hole 27 in the closure element is, for
instance, internally threaded, which is intended for a connectable
actuator 6. The closure element also has at its upper end 14 a
sealing region 29 which extends circumferentially with an edge
inward toward the valve housing 2. The closure element 5 also has a
flexible portion 30 which is radially inside said sealing region
29.
[0055] Referring once more to FIG. 2, the valve housing 2 has in
its upper portion 12 a connection opening 17. The upper portion 12
of the valve housing 2 is adapted to be connected to a coupling
device 7. The coupling device 7 is preferably connectable to the
valve housing 2 by a locking means 8. The locking means 8 is
suitably provided with an internal thread, which is adapted to a
complementary external thread of the valve housing 2 for mutual
locking.
[0056] With reference to FIG. 3, the coupling device 7 also
suitably has a centrally arranged hole 19 which is provided with an
internal thread. The hole 19 is adapted to receive a thread bushing
20 provided with an external thread. The upper end of the thread
bushing 20 is preferably connectable to the hole, (see FIG. 2).
[0057] The lower end of the thread bushing 20 is suitably provided
with an abutment means 16 which is fastened to be rotatable on the
thread bushing. The abutment means 16, which is to be seen in FIG.
2, is arranged inward toward the valve housing. The thread bushing
20 has preferably at its lower free end a locking washer 21 for
retaining the abutment means in the intended position.
[0058] With reference to FIG. 3, the thread bushing 20 has a
hexagonal actuating hole 18 intended for an Allen key. The thread
bushing 20 with the rotatably connected abutment means 16 thus is
axially adjustable relative to the coupling device 7 in its
threaded hole 19.
[0059] Referring once more to FIG. 3, it is to be seen that the
elongated actuator 6 in its lower end preferably is provided with
an external thread to be connected to the hole 27 of the closure
element 5. Furthermore the actuator 6 is in its upper end suitably
provided with an internal thread to be connected to and receive an
actuating device 10 with an externally threaded pin 23. The
actuator 6 is to be inserted through the hexagonal actuating hole
18 in the thread bushing 20 for the intended connection of the
actuator at both ends. The upper end of the actuator can also be
provided with a diametrical groove 22 which is used to allow a
complementary tool (not shown) to adjust the connection of the
actuator 6 to the closure element 5.
[0060] The actuating device 10 is preferably connectable to the
coupling device 7 by an annular fastening means 24. The fastening
means 24 is suitably provided with an internal thread which is
adapted to a complementary external thread of the coupling device 7
for interconnection.
[0061] The actuating device can be actuated by manual or pneumatic,
hydraulic or electrical control or alternatively a combination
thereof.
[0062] The valve housing 2, the coupling device 7, the abutment
means 16 and the actuator 6 are preferably made of metal, such as
stainless steel or aluminium, but may, of course, be made of other
materials or combinations of materials that meet the requirements
and wishes according to the intentions of the invention. The thread
bushing 20 is suitably made of metal, such as bronze, in order to
ensure easy operation of the same and, for instance, allow low
friction.
[0063] The closure element 5 according to the first embodiment is
preferably made of a flexible polymer, such as Teflon,
polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).
[0064] The closure element 5 may, of course, be made of other
materials that meat the requirements and wishes of the invention,
such as rubber or a combination of PTFE and rubber.
[0065] The requirements and wishes as to materials that can be
placed on the invention may, for example, be chemical resistance,
temperature and pressure resistance. These materials and material
needs may, of course, be varied in view of the application
concerned.
[0066] Components such as the interior of the valve housing 2, the
fluid ports 3, 4, the closure element 5, the actuator 6, the
coupling device 7, the abutment means 16 and the connection opening
17 are substantially circular in cross-section, but may of course
have a different shape as long as the objects and requirements of
the invention are met. Other conceivable shapes can be oval, square
or some kind of regular or irregular polygonal shape.
[0067] The mounting of the valve 1 and the other components will
now be described in the following with reference to FIGS. 3, 4a and
4b.
[0068] As mentioned above, the valve housing 2 has a connection
opening 17 in the upper portion 12 of the valve housing, see FIG.
3. In its upper inside, the valve housing 2 preferably has a
support portion 25 and a seat portion 31. The closure element 5 is
insertable through the connection opening 17, an outer radial
portion at the upper end 14 of the closure element abutting against
the support portion 25.
[0069] With reference once more to FIG. 3, the closure element has
preferably at its upper end an edge portion 26 where the closure
element 5 has an indentation with a peripheral edge. It is to be
noted that the upper end, the sealing portion 14, of the closure
element 5 in its mounted state preferably is arranged, suitably in
a floating manner, at a small radial distance from the inner wall
of the valve housing 2.
[0070] The abutment means 16 is connected to the lower end of the
thread bushing 20 suitably by means of the locking washer 21. The
upper end of the thread bushing is screwed from below into the
internally threaded hole 19 of the coupling device 7. Thus the
abutment means 16 is adjustably connected to the coupling device 7
on the underside thereof by the thread bushing 20. During mounting,
the abutment means is in its upper position so as to abut against
the underside of the coupling device, which is seen in FIG. 4a.
[0071] As shown in FIG. 3, the coupling device 7, with the
integrated components stated above, is connected to the upper
portion 12 of the valve housing 2 by the locking means 8.
[0072] The locking means 8 is preferably an annular nut means. An
appropriate tool (not shown) thus suitably performs the connection
so that the locking means 8 and the upper valve housing portion 12
abut against each other in a reliable manner.
[0073] With reference to FIGS. 4a and 4b, it is to be seen that the
thread bushing 20 can be adjusted with the hexagonal actuating hole
18 by means of an Allen key so that the abutment means is adjusted
to abut with a press-fit against the closure element 5.
[0074] The Allen key can advantageously be what is referred to as a
torque wrench, which ensures that a similar adjusted torque is
applied in each press-fit operation which, for example, takes place
in connection with maintenance.
[0075] With reference to FIG. 3, the actuator 6 is inserted into
the actuating hole 18 and screwed into the closure element 5 by
means of an appropriate tool (not shown) which engages in the
diametrical groove 22 of the actuator 6.
[0076] After that, the actuating device is arranged over the
coupling device and rotated so that the pin 23 is threaded into the
upper portion of the actuator 6. The fastening means 24 of the
actuating device 10 is then attached by screwing and tightened with
an appropriate tool (not shown).
[0077] In addition to this description of mounting, the respective
fluid ports are of course connected to fluid lines, but since this
takes place according to prior art technique and is not a direct
part of the invention, this operation is left out of the
description.
[0078] The function of the valve 1 and the other components will
now be described in the following with reference to FIGS. 4a, 4b
and 5a, 5b respectively. When a mounted device in the valve 2
according to the present invention is arranged in the intended
position, for instance, adjacent a fluid tank for directing the
fluid flow, for example the first fluid port 3 of the valve is
connected
to the lower portion of the fluid tank as an inlet of the valve.
The second fluid port 4 of the valve is connected to a fluid line
as an outlet of the valve.
[0079] When a user intends to open the valve 2 provided with a
manual actuating device 10, he turns a handle 28, see FIGS. 5a, 5b.
With the handle, the pin 23 is moved in the axial direction from
the tank connection of the valve (below referred to as off
direction). The pin 23 actuates the actuator 6 through the
actuating hole 18 in the same off direction.
[0080] Due to the movement of the actuator 6, the closure element 5
moves in the same off direction, see FIG. 5a. The end, the sealing
portion 15, of the closure element thus leaves the abutment
surfaces of the first fluid port. Any fluid in the tank may thus,
for instance due to gravity, flow through the valve. The end, the
sealing portion 15, of the closure element, and its waist portions
together with the inner walls of the valve housing 2 between the
first 3 and the second fluid port 4 form the flow passage 11. The
fluid can now flow from the first fluid port 3 through the flow
passage 11 to the fluid port 4.
[0081] Correspondingly, but in the opposite direction, the closing
process of the valve takes place when the handle of the actuating
device is turned to the closing position, whereby the first fluid
port 3 is again closed, see FIG. 5b. It is to be noted that in the
first embodiment the preferably rigid closure element 5 suitably
flexes about the sealing portion 31 when operating the positions of
the valve.
[0082] In operation, the coupling device 7 ensures that the sealing
region 29, together with the seat portion 31 of the valve housing,
under the action of the abutment means 16 has the required sealing
function. In order to demonstrate leakage in this seal, an
indication passage 32 is arranged in the coupling device 7, see
FIG. 3.
[0083] With reference to FIGS. 4a, 4b and the above description of
mounting, the following occurs when the thread bushing 20 is, for
example, adjusted by an Allen key in the hexagonal actuating hole
18. This can preferably occur without the actuator being
mounted.
[0084] When the abutment means 16 is moved toward the closure
element 5, a preferably uniformly distributed force is peripherally
applied between the above components for mutual sealing. This force
is suitably transmitted centrally by the thread bushing 20 as
force-transmitting means. This single adjusting means results in
adjustment being achieved in a simple and uniform manner. In the
valve housing 2, the support portion 25 and the seat portion 31 act
as an abutment for the closure element so that the abutment means
16 obtains the desired function. In the opposite direction, the
coupling device 7 together with the thread bushing 20 acts as an
abutment for the press-fit force exerted by the abutment means
16.
[0085] The abutment means 16 preferably exerts a pressure, at a
suitable radial distance from its centre, on the closure element 5
adjacent the edge portion 26. This distance is adjusted so that the
closure element 5 can flex adjacent the flexible portion 30 for
actuating the valve 1. In other words, the closure element has
adjacent said portion 30 at the end, the sealing portion 14, some
freedom of movement so that the closure element can move in the
intended vertical direction.
[0086] The abutment means 16 preferably abuts on both sides of the
edge portion 26 of the closure element 5 to ensure adequate
abutment. This press-fit abutment force results in the desired
sealing function between the sealing region 29 and the seat portion
31. The invention according to the second embodiment will now be
described. The closure element 5 has a shape which is preferably
adapted to the abutment means 16. The closure element 5 according
to the second embodiment is suitably made of a resilient soft
material, such as silicone, ethylene-propylene rubber (EPDM),
fluorinated rubber (FPM; viton).
The closure element 5 can, of course, be made of another material
which has the properties that are required according to the
intentions of the invention.
[0087] The above closure element 5 can have, for example, a metal
core which is directly or indirectly connectable to the actuating
device 10. The closure element 5 preferably has good sealing
properties independently of pressure and temperature changes, the
abutment means 16 being pressed directly against the closure
element 5, whereby sealing occurs between the sealing region 29 and
the seat portion 31.
[0088] In FIGS. 1-5, the abutment means 16 is a resilient washer.
The subsequent figures illustrate alternative spring means in the
different embodiment of the valve.
[0089] FIGS. 6a-6c illustrate an alternative embodiment of the
device according to the present invention. The abutment means 16 is
pressed against the closure element 5 by a compression spring 35,
which ensures that a pressure is exerted by the abutment means 16
on the closure element 5 in changes of the size of the parts
included in the device. FIG. 6a shows the valve in the closed
position, and FIGS. 6b and 6c in the open position. In FIGS. 6c,
the spring 35 is slightly more tensioned than in FIG. 6b. The
compression of the spring 35 is in this embodiment performed by an
adjusting screw 6, a worm gear 33, a nut 34 and the thread bushing
20. An advantage of this embodiment is that the spring 35 can be
tensioned without necessitating dismounting of any part of the
valve.
[0090] In FIGS. 7a and 7b, which illustrate a further embodiment of
the device according to the present invention, the abutment means
comprises a spring washer 36 which just like the compression spring
35 in FIG. 6a-6c ensures that a pressure is exerted by the abutment
means 16 on the closure element 5 in changes of the size of the
parts included in the device. FIG. 7a shows the device in one
position with a large expansion gap, and FIG. 7b in another
position with a small expansion gap.
[0091] Yet another alternative embodiment of the device according
to the invention is shown in FIGS. 8a (open valve) and 8b (closed
valve). In this embodiment, the abutment means is a compression
spring 35, which is to be tensioned by the thread bushing 20. In
this embodiment, the "cone" is shown as a separate part which is
arranged by means of a bolt with the diaphragm part of the closure
element 5.
[0092] Another embodiment of the device according to the present
invention is shown is FIG. 9, where the closure element 5 largely
consists of a diaphragm which is pressed down against a ridge 37
belonging to the valve housing 2 in order to close the valve. The
diaphragm 5 is sealed against the valve housing 2 by a number of
bolts 38 holding an abutment means 16 against the peripheral
portions of the diaphragm. In addition, a spring 35 is arranged
adjacent each bolt to maintain a minimum sealing force
independently of the movements of the components due to
temperature. FIG. 10 shows the same valve as in FIG. 9 but with an
alternative spring action involving an abutment means which at the
same time is a compression spring 35. The compression spring 35 is
pressed down against the diaphragm 35 by an adjustable means (not
shown) close to the centre of the compression spring 35.
[0093] It will be appreciated that the above described embodiments
of the present invention can be modified and varied by as person
skilled in the art, without departing from the inventive concept
defined in the claims. For instance, the valve and its components
according to the present invention with the various fastening
means, locking means, thread bushings can, of course, be provided
in various ways such as detachable joints (for instance screw,
spline, key, clamp, press and shrink joints) or alternative other
elastic joints or power joints, but also in some applications,
permanent joints (weld, glue and rivet joints). It goes without
saying that it is also possible to combine the various spring
alternatives. For example, the valve with its components may
consist of several parts both as separate or composite components,
such as several fluid ports, valve housings, closure elements,
abutment means, coupling devices, thread bushings. The
above-mentioned components can also be integrated when convenient
and when allowed by the application.
REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0094] 1. valve
[0095] 2. valve housing
[0096] 3. first fluid port, fluid opening
[0097] 4. second fluid port, fluid side opening
[0098] 5. closure element
[0099] 6. actuator
[0100] 7. coupling device
[0101] 8. locking means (coupling device)
[0102] 9. adjusting screw
[0103] 10. actuating device
[0104] 11. flow passage, passage portion
[0105] 12. upper portion valve housing
[0106] 13. lower portion valve housing
[0107] 14. sealing portion
[0108] 15. sealing portion
[0109] 16. abutment means; abutment portion
[0110] 17. connection opening
[0111] 18. actuating hole
[0112] 19. hole coupling device
[0113] 20. thread bushing
[0114] 21. locking washer
[0115] 22. groove in actuator
[0116] 23. pin actuating device
[0117] 24. fastening means (actuating device)
[0118] 25. support portion (valve housing)
[0119] 26. edge portion
[0120] 27. hole in closure element
[0121] 28. handle (actuating device)
[0122] 29. sealing region
[0123] 30. flexible portion
[0124] 31. seat portion
[0125] 32. indication passage
[0126] 33. worm gear
[0127] 34. nut
[0128] 35. compression spring
[0129] 36. spring washer
[0130] 37. ridge
[0131] 38. bolt
* * * * *