U.S. patent application number 16/057009 was filed with the patent office on 2020-02-13 for cushioned relief valve.
The applicant listed for this patent is Kennedy Valve Company. Invention is credited to Paul Kennedy.
Application Number | 20200049277 16/057009 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 69405785 |
Filed Date | 2020-02-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200049277 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kennedy; Paul |
February 13, 2020 |
Cushioned Relief Valve
Abstract
A cushioned relief valve includes a housing, a piston, a
cylinder cover, and a flexible diaphragm. The housing has an inlet,
an interior, an outlet channel, and an outlet, the interior being a
hollow cylinder in fluid communication with the inlet and the
outlet channel, the outlet channel extending from a cylindrical
side of the hollow cylinder to the outlet, the outlet opening
outside the housing. The piston is located within the hollow
cylinder and is slidable between a first position blocking the
inlet and the outlet channel, and a second position opening a path
for fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet channel. The
cylinder cover defines a compressible gas volume in fluid
communication with the second end of the hollow cylinder. The
flexible diaphragm separates the compressible gas volume of the
cylinder cover from the second end of the hollow cylinder.
Inventors: |
Kennedy; Paul; (Horseheads,
NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kennedy Valve Company |
Elmira |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
69405785 |
Appl. No.: |
16/057009 |
Filed: |
August 7, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16K 17/0433 20130101;
F16K 17/0453 20130101; F16L 55/055 20130101; F16K 17/06 20130101;
F16K 47/023 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F16K 47/02 20060101
F16K047/02; F16K 17/04 20060101 F16K017/04 |
Claims
1. A cushioned relief valve, comprising: a housing having an inlet,
an interior, an outlet channel, and an outlet, the interior being a
hollow cylinder with a first end in fluid communication with the
inlet, a second end opposite the first end, and a cylindrical side
between the first end and the second end, the cylindrical side in
fluid communication with the outlet channel, the outlet channel
extending from the cylindrical side of the hollow cylinder adjacent
the first end to the outlet, the outlet opening outside the
housing; a piston located within the hollow cylinder and slidable
between a first position adjacent the first end of the hollow
cylinder and a second position adjacent the second end of the
hollow cylinder, the piston comprising a piston chamber inside the
piston having an opening adjacent the first end of the hollow
cylinder and a central aperture passing through an end of the
piston opposite the opening, such that, when the piston is at the
first position, the piston blocks the inlet and the outlet channel,
and when the piston is in the second position, a path is opened for
fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet channel; a cylinder
cover defining a compressible gas volume in fluid communication
with the second end of the hollow cylinder; and a flexible
diaphragm separating the compressible gas volume of the cylinder
cover from the second end of the hollow cylinder, the diaphragm
being biased toward the first end of the hollow cylinder and
defining a fluid volume in the hollow cylinder between the
diaphragm and the end of the piston.
2. The cushioned relief valve of claim 1, wherein the outlet is
oriented at an angle different from an angle at which the inlet is
oriented.
3. The cushioned relief valve of claim 1, wherein the outlet
channel widens from the inlet to the outlet.
4. The cushioned relief valve of claim 1, wherein the cylinder
cover further comprises an adjustment valve passing through the
cylinder cover between an outside of the cylinder cover and the
compressible gas volume.
5. The cushioned relief valve of claim 1, further comprising a
diaphragm return spring between the diaphragm and the cylinder
cover, applying a bias force against the flexible diaphragm toward
the first end of the hollow cylinder.
6. The cushioned relief valve of claim 1, wherein the cylinder
housing further comprises a bleeder valve providing a closable path
from the second end of the hollow cylinder to an outside of the
cylinder housing.
7. A fluid flow system comprising: at least one pipe; at least one
check valve connected to the at least one pipe; and a cushioned
relief valve connected to the at least one pipe downstream from the
check valve, the cushioned relief valve including: a housing having
an inlet, an interior, an outlet channel, and an outlet, the
interior being a hollow cylinder with a first end in fluid
communication with the inlet, a second end opposite the first end,
and a cylindrical side between the first end and the second end,
the cylindrical side in fluid communication with the outlet
channel, the outlet channel extending from the cylindrical side of
the hollow cylinder adjacent the first end to the outlet, the
outlet opening outside the housing; a piston located within the
hollow cylinder and slidable between a first position adjacent the
first end of the hollow cylinder and a second position adjacent the
second end of the hollow cylinder, the piston comprising a piston
chamber inside the piston having an opening adjacent the first end
of the hollow cylinder and a central aperture passing through an
end of the piston opposite the opening, such that, when the piston
is at the first position, the piston blocks the inlet and the
outlet channel, and when the piston is in the second position, a
path is opened for fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet
channel; a cylinder cover defining a compressible gas volume in
fluid communication with the second end of the hollow cylinder; and
a flexible diaphragm separating the compressible gas volume of the
cylinder cover from the second end of the hollow cylinder, the
diaphragm being biased toward the first end of the hollow cylinder
and defining a fluid volume in the hollow cylinder between the
diaphragm and the end of the piston.
8. The fluid flow system of claim 7, wherein the outlet is oriented
at an angle different from an angle at which the inlet is
oriented.
9. The fluid flow system of claim 7, wherein the outlet channel
widens from the inlet to the outlet.
10. The fluid flow system of claim 7, wherein the outlet is open to
an area outside the cushioned relief valve and the fluid flow
system.
11. The fluid flow system of claim 7, wherein the cylinder cover
further comprises an adjustment valve passing through the cylinder
cover between an outside of the cylinder cover and the compressible
gas volume.
12. The fluid flow system of claim 7, further comprising a
diaphragm return spring between the diaphragm and the cylinder
cover, applying a bias force against the flexible diaphragm toward
the first end of the hollow cylinder.
13. The fluid flow system of claim 7, wherein the cylinder housing
further comprises a bleeder valve providing a closable path from
the second end of the hollow cylinder to an outside of the cylinder
housing.
14. A cushioned relief valve, comprising: a hollow cylindrical body
having a first open end, a second open end opposite the first open
end and an outlet channel being in fluid communication with the
first open end and extending through the hollow cylindrical body; a
piston located within the hollow cylindrical body and slidable
along an inner wall thereof between a first position adjacent the
first open end of the hollow cylindrical body and a second position
adjacent the second open end of the hollow cylindrical body, the
piston comprising a first inner chamber exposed to the first open
end of the hollow cylindrical body through an opening at a first
end thereof and a central aperture passing through a second end
thereof opposite the first end, in the first position the piston
blocking the fluid communication between the first open end of the
hollow cylindrical body and the outlet channel, and in the second
position the piston opening the fluid communication between the
first open end of the hollow cylindrical body and the outlet
channel; a cylinder cover defining a second inner chamber in fluid
communication with the second open end of the hollow cylindrical
body; and a flexible diaphragm separating the second inner chamber
from the second end of the hollow cylindrical body, the diaphragm
being biased toward the piston and defining a third inner chamber
in the hollow cylindrical body between the diaphragm and the
piston.
15. The cushioned relief valve of claim 14, wherein the outlet
channel extends at an angle with respect to the first open end and
tapers outwardly by a predetermined distance from the hollow
cylindrical body.
16. The cushioned relief valve of claim 15, wherein the cylinder
cover comprises an adjustment valve extending therethrough to
receive a compressible gas into the second inner chamber.
17. The cushioned relief valve of claim 16, further comprising: a
diaphragm return spring extending between the diaphragm and the
cylinder cover to bias the diaphragm toward the piston.
18. The cushioned relief valve of claim 17, wherein the inner wall
of the hollow cylindrical body is wider then the first open end
thereof.
19. The cushioned relief valve of claim 18, wherein the first inner
chamber is wider than the opening at the first end thereof.
20. The cushioned relief valve of claim 19, wherein the first inner
chamber is wider than the first opening of the hollow cylindrical
body.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention pertains to the field of fluid valves. More
particularly, the invention pertains to cushioned relief
valves.
[0002] Water hammer, also known as hydraulic shock, can occur in
piping systems that carry a high momentum fluid when rapid changes
in momentum of the fluid take place, for example, when a valve or
pump in the system is abruptly closed and the fluid stops flowing.
As flowing fluids generally have a constant density and mass,
changes in fluid momentum result from, for example, changes in
fluid flow velocity, a cessation of fluid flow, or a reversal of
flow direction causing retrograde flow. When a valve or pump in the
system is closed or shut off and fluid flow within the system
suddenly stops, the change in fluid flow velocity causes a
shockwave to form and propagate through the fluid and piping
structures that carry the fluid. The shockwave may be
characterized, physically and mathematically, as a transient high
pressure pulse moving through the fluid flow system 20.
[0003] When the shockwave impacts valve gates, pumps and other
solid structures, the energy carried by the high pressure of the
shockwave is transferred to these solid structures. The shockwave
pressure impacting piping, pump and valve structures is
undesirable, as it is a source of unwanted acoustic noise,
vibration, and extreme pressure gradients that may cause
significant mechanical stress on pipes, pumps, valves, and other
fixtures. In extreme cases, pipes may burst from excessive pressure
extremes associated with a shockwave, or conversely may implode at
a location as a result of shockwave formation at another
location.
[0004] In some systems, for example lift stations bringing a fluid
such as water or sewage from one elevation to a higher elevation,
check valves are often used to prevent or retard retrograde fluid
flow when pumping systems are turned off or valves are closed.
Changes in pump status when a pump is turned off, and closing of
the check valve in these systems, may cause significant hydraulic
shock, particularly when large diameter pipes and large differences
in elevation are involved.
[0005] In conventional systems, various solutions to mitigate
hydraulic shock have been employed. In some solutions, the
fundamental mitigation approach has been to either provide an
alternative energy absorbing pathway for fluids to flow in, so that
shockwave energy is dissipated when hydraulic shock occurs. In
other approaches, the rate at which changes in flow velocity occur
is regulated in order to prevent the formation of shockwaves at
their source, or minimize the energy and extreme pressure increases
associated with shockwaves.
[0006] Water towers, or vertical water column shunts, commonly
provide alternative energy absorbing pathways. Fluids being pumped
from a lower elevation to a higher elevation tend to reverse
direction and produce retrograde flow back to the lower elevation
when pumps are turned off or valves are closed. An open topped
water tower or vertical water column located between the two
elevations and at a higher elevation than a check valve, allows the
retrograde flow and shockwave energy to be redirected upwardly into
the tower or water column, against the force of gravity, thus
harmlessly absorbing the shockwave energy and preventing hydraulic
shock.
[0007] Buffers, such as tanks filled with a compressible gas, may
also be incorporated in fluid systems to absorb shockwave energy
and pressure, and reduce or eliminate hydraulic shock. Retrograde
flow redirected toward the tank increases the fluid pressure in the
tank, which in turn compresses the compressible gas, and shockwave
energy is thus absorbed and then fed back into the fluid system by
the initial compression and subsequent expansion of the gas after
the fluid system returns to nominal operating pressures.
[0008] In other mitigation approaches, basic considerations such as
valve closing rates, pump rate of stop, and length of straight-line
piping between elevations may be adjusted to also reduce or
eliminate hydraulic shock.
[0009] In the case of pump stoppages, hydraulic shock occurs when a
pump stops suddenly, causing a sudden change in fluid flow velocity
in piping connected to the pump. Adding a massive flywheel to the
pump, for example, slows the rate at which pumping stops when power
to the pump is removed, and thus slows the rate of change of fluid
flow velocity, so that shock waves are not produced, or their
pressure amplitude is minimized Alternatively, short continuous
straight-line runs of piping between elevations, such as serpentine
pathways, may also minimize hydraulic shock. Bends in a pipeline
decrease the total mass of fluid flowing together in a section of
pipe in a given direction, and therefore also decrease the total
momentum of the fluid flowing in that section of pipe.
[0010] Since basic system design considerations may not always
adjust to mitigate hydraulic shock, or are cost prohibitive,
cushioned check valves have been developed that change the rate of
check valve closing to mitigate hydraulic shock. In these
conventional cushioned check valves, fluid being pumped from a
lower elevation to a higher elevation may stop flowing toward the
higher elevation, and reverse direction toward the lower elevation
as valves are closed, or pumps stop pumping, while a check valve
closes.
[0011] For example, a check valve in-line in a lift station between
a lower elevation and a higher elevation requires a certain amount
of time to close when movement of fluid toward the higher elevation
stops, and retrograde flow begins to carry a valve disk backward
toward a valve seat until the check valve closes and stops the
retrograde flow. The fluid being pumped may therefore develop
significant retrograde flow velocity toward the lower elevation
that causes hydraulic shock with a significant amount of energy and
pressure when the valve disk ultimately closes, and the retrograde
flow abruptly stops.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] According to an embodiment, a cushioned relief valve
includes a housing, a piston, a cylinder cover, and a flexible
diaphragm. The housing has an inlet, an interior, an outlet
channel, and an outlet, the interior being a hollow cylinder with a
first end in fluid communication with the inlet, a second end
opposite the first end, and a cylindrical side between the first
end and the second end, the cylindrical side in fluid communication
with the outlet channel, the outlet channel extending from the
cylindrical side of the hollow cylinder adjacent the first end to
the outlet, the outlet opening outside the housing. The piston is
located within the hollow cylinder and is slidable between a first
position adjacent the first end of the hollow cylinder and a second
position adjacent the second end of the hollow cylinder, the piston
comprising a piston chamber inside the piston having an opening
adjacent the first end of the hollow cylinder and a central
aperture passing through an end of the piston opposite the opening,
such that, when the piston is at the first position, the piston
blocks the inlet and the outlet channel, and when the piston is in
the second position, a path is opened for fluid flow between the
inlet and the outlet channel. The cylinder cover defines a
compressible gas volume in fluid communication with the second end
of the hollow cylinder. The flexible diaphragm separates the
compressible gas volume of the cylinder cover from the second end
of the hollow cylinder, the diaphragm being biased toward the first
end of the hollow cylinder and defining a fluid volume in the
hollow cylinder between the diaphragm and the end of the
piston.
[0013] According to another embodiment, a fluid flow system
includes at least one pipe, at least one check valve connected to
the at least one pipe, and a cushioned relief valve connected to
the at least one pipe downstream from the check valve. The
cushioned relief valve includes a housing, a piston, a cylinder
cover, and a flexible diaphragm. The housing has an inlet, an
interior, an outlet channel, and an outlet, the interior being a
hollow cylinder with a first end in fluid communication with the
inlet, a second end opposite the first end, and a cylindrical side
between the first end and the second end, the cylindrical side in
fluid communication with the outlet channel, the outlet channel
extending from the cylindrical side of the hollow cylinder adjacent
the first end to the outlet, the outlet opening outside the
housing. The piston is located within the hollow cylinder and
slidable between a first position adjacent the first end of the
hollow cylinder and a second position adjacent the second end of
the hollow cylinder, the piston comprising a piston chamber inside
the piston having an opening adjacent the first end of the hollow
cylinder and a central aperture passing through an end of the
piston opposite the opening, such that, when the piston is at the
first position, the piston blocks the inlet and the outlet channel,
and when the piston is in the second position, a path is opened for
fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet channel. The cylinder
cover defines a compressible gas volume in fluid communication with
the second end of the hollow cylinder. The flexible diaphragm
separates the compressible gas volume of the cylinder cover from
the second end of the hollow cylinder, the diaphragm being biased
toward the first end of the hollow cylinder and defining a fluid
volume in the hollow cylinder between the diaphragm and the end of
the piston.
[0014] In another embodiment, a cushioned relief valve includes a
hollow cylindrical body, a piston, a cylindrical cover, and a
flexible diaphragm. The hollow cylindrical body has a first open
end, a second open end opposite the first open end and an outlet
channel being in fluid communication with the first open end and
extending through the hollow cylindrical body. The piston is
located within the hollow cylindrical body and slidable along an
inner wall thereof between a first position adjacent the first open
end of the hollow cylindrical body and a second position adjacent
the second open end of the hollow cylindrical body, the piston
comprising a first inner chamber exposed to the first open end of
the hollow cylindrical body through an opening at a first end
thereof and a central aperture passing through a second end thereof
opposite the first end, in the first position the piston blocking
the fluid communication between the first open end of the hollow
cylindrical body and the outlet channel, and in the second position
the piston opening the fluid communication between the first open
end of the hollow cylindrical body and the outlet channel. The
cylinder cover defines a second inner chamber in fluid
communication with the second open end of the hollow cylindrical
body. The flexible diaphragm separates the second inner chamber
from the second end of the hollow cylindrical body, the diaphragm
being biased toward the piston and defining a third inner chamber
in the hollow cylindrical body between the diaphragm and the
piston.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0015] FIG. 1 shows a cushioned relief valve according to an
example embodiment prior to pressurization of a fluid flow system
20 in which the cushioned relief valve is installed (in a state
having a piston and a diaphragm thereof in a fully closed
state).
[0016] FIG. 2 shows the cushioned relief valve of FIG. 1 after
initial pressurization of the fluid flow system in which the
cushioned relief valve is installed (in a state having the piston
closed and the diaphragm between an open (up) and closed (down)
state; or after initial pressurization of the flow system and
adjustment of gas pressure in the gas volume of the cylinder
cover.
[0017] FIG. 3 shows the cushioned relief valve of FIG. 1 when a
retrograde high pressure pulse enters the relief valve (in a state
having the piston and the diaphragm in a fully open state).
[0018] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a fluid flow system
according to an embodiment, including the cushioned relief valve of
FIG. 1 connected at a point downstream from a check valve.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] A cushioned relief valve according to an embodiment of the
current invention effectively reduces the pressure in a fluid flow
system during short periods of excessive pressure. No mechanical
components are added in the fluid flow system in which the
cushioned relief valve is installed, thus flow rates through the
fluid flow system are not negatively affected. Further, the
cushioned relief valve is easily adjustable to a wide range of
fluid flow velocities, fluid pressures, and pipe diameters, and is
also adaptable to a wide range of fluids, including, but not
limited to, for example, water, sewage, chemicals, and others.
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates the elements of a cushioned relief valve
10 prior to pressurization of a fluid flow system 20. In this
example embodiment, a valve housing 100 includes a piston housing
101 having an inlet 102 and an outlet 104. The piston housing 101
forms a hollow cylinder 106 in which a piston 108 can slide to
block or open fluid communication between the inlet 102 and the
outlet 104. The cushioned relief valve 10 can be connected to a
fluid flow system 20, and so the inlet 102 can be in direct fluid
communication with the fluid flow channel 20. A first end 110 of
the hollow cylinder 106 is open to the inlet 102. Thus, according
to Pascal's law, a fluid pressure at the first end 110 of the
hollow cylinder 106 is the same as a fluid pressure in the inlet
102 and fluid flow system 20.
[0021] The hollow cylinder 106 is open to an outlet channel 116 at
a side of the hollow cylinder 106 adjacent the first end 110 of the
hollow cylinder 106. The outlet channel 116 is generally arranged
to meet the first end 110 of the hollow cylinder 106 about the
circumference of the hollow cylinder 106, and may do so
continuously or through discreet openings passing from the outlet
channel 116 into the hollow cylinder 106. The outlet channel 116 is
in direct fluid communication with the outlet 104, which can outlet
fluid outside the cushioned relief valve 10 and/or outside the
fluid flow system 20. The outlet channel 116 and outlet 104 can be
oriented at a different angle than the inlet 102. For example, the
outlet channel 116 and outlet 104 can be angled approximately
perpendicularly to the inlet 102, meaning that fluid flow through
the inlet 102 can be approximately perpendicular to fluid flow
through the outlet channel 116 and the outlet 104. "Approximate"
includes plus or minus 10%, such that "approximately 90 degrees"
would include the range 80-100 degrees. The outlet channel 116 can
widen from the inlet 102 to the outlet 104, which can facilitate
maintenance of a low pressure toward the outlet 104 (relative to
the inlet 102) to draw fluid toward the outlet, or at least reduce
the chance fluid flow at the outlet 104 will exceed the capacity of
the outlet 104 or be obstructed at the outlet 104.
[0022] The hollow cylinder 106 houses the movable piston 108, which
is generally free to move between the first end 110 of the hollow
cylinder 106 and the second end 114 of the hollow cylinder 106. The
hollow cylinder 106 can include a retaining ring 112 at a second
end 114 of the hollow cylinder 106 in order to limit the movement
of the piston 108. The piston 108 may incorporate a variety of
seals, including, but not limited to, piston rings, O-rings, and
other seals that prevent passage of fluid around the piston 108
into the hollow cylinder 106, or under the piston 108, between the
inlet 102 and the outlet channel 116.
[0023] The piston 108 also defines a piston chamber 120 with a
surface inside the piston 108. The piston chamber 120 defines a
first side 122 of the piston 108. An opening 124 from the piston
chamber 120 to the first end 110 of the hollow cylinder 106 is
defined by an extent of a piston seal surface 126. The piston 108
also includes a central aperture 128 that allows fluid to pass
through the piston 108 between the first side 122 and a second side
130 of the piston 108.
[0024] Still referring to FIG. 1, a diaphragm 132 is located at the
second end 114 of the hollow cylinder 106 and forms a hermetic seal
with the piston housing 101. Thus, the second side 130 of the
piston 108, the diaphragm 132, and the hollow cylinder 106 define a
first inner chamber 134 between the second side 130 of the piston
108 and the diaphragm 132. The diaphragm 132 is generally biased
toward the first end 110 of the hollow cylinder 106, but is free to
deflect away from the first end 110 of the hollow cylinder 106 and
back toward the first end 110 of the hollow cylinder 106, as will
be discussed further herein. Bias of the diaphragm 132 may be
altered, if desired, by various constructions, including, but not
limited to, a selection of material from which the diaphragm 132 is
constructed, a thickness of the diaphragm 132, surface features on
the diaphragm 132, and other structural features.
[0025] The valve housing 100 includes a hollow cylinder cover 136,
which is located at the second end 114 of the hollow cylinder 106,
and is attached to the piston housing 101. The diaphragm 132
hermetically seals the cylinder cover 136 and defines a first
second inner chamber 1 that forms a gas volume inside the cylinder
cover 136. The second inner chamber 138 can be filled with a
compressible gas. Generally, the compressible gas is air. Any
compressible gas, however, such as nitrogen, for example, or
combination of compressible gasses, may be used. The pressure of
the compressible gas within the second inner chamber 138 may be
adjusted, for example, during initialization and optimization of
the cushioned relief valve 10, by introducing or removing gas
through an adjustment valve 140 that passes through the cylinder
cover 136. The adjustment valve 140 can have an open position and a
closed position.
[0026] The bias of the diaphragm 132 toward the first end 110 of
the hollow cylinder 106 is also determined by the pressure of the
gas in the second inner chamber 138. Higher gas pressures in the
second inner chamber 138 provide a stronger bias, and lower
pressures provide a weaker bias. A diaphragm return spring 142 may
optionally be incorporated between the diaphragm 132 and the
cylinder cover 136 to provide additional bias to the diaphragm 132.
Thus, the diaphragm 132 bias may be determined by the construction
of the diaphragm 132, the pressure of the gas in the second inner
chamber 138, and optionally, the bias of the return spring 142.
[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates the cushion relief valve 10 after the
fluid flow system 20 in which the cushioned relief valve 10 is
installed has been charged with a fluid. Fluid flow is present in
the fluid flow system 20 and fluid is present at a constant,
nominal operating pressure P1 in the inlet 102. No retrograde flow
or hydraulic shock occurs.
[0028] When the inlet 102 is filled with fluid, the fluid flows
into the first end 110 of the hollow cylinder 106, through the
central aperture 128 of the piston 108, and into the first inner
chamber 134. The pressure of the fluid in the inlet 102 may
therefore deflect the diaphragm 132 away from the first end 110 of
the hollow cylinder 106, compressing the return spring 142, if
present, and the compressible gas in the second inner chamber 138,
until the pressure of the fluid in the inlet 102 and the bias of
the diaphragm 132 are equalized.
[0029] Gas may be introduced into the second inner chamber 138
through the adjustment valve 140. Adding gas to the second inner
chamber 138 increases the gas pressure in the second inner chamber
138, and increases the bias of the diaphragm 132, which deflects
the diaphragm 132 back toward the first end 110 of the hollow
cylinder 106. In some embodiments, a bleeder valve 144 may be
incorporated through the piston housing 101 adjacent the diaphragm
132, so that air may be bled out of the first inner chamber 134
between the piston 108 and the diaphragm 132. The first inner
chamber 134, whether partially filled with air or completely filled
with fluid, couples the bias of the diaphragm 132 to the second
side 130 of the piston 108.
[0030] The central aperture 128 of the piston 108 is dimensioned so
that fluid can flow between the first side 122 and second side 130
of the piston 108 only at a limited rate. As a result, when changes
in pressure at the first end 110 of the hollow cylinder 106 occur
at a rate that can be accommodated by the central aperture 128, the
fluid may move through the central aperture 128 without moving the
piston 108 away from the first end 110 of the hollow cylinder 106.
Within these operating parameters, pressure changes that occur
below a given rate, determined by the dimensions of the central
aperture 128, may be absorbed by deflections of the diaphragm 132
against the diaphragm bias and the piston 108 will remain at the
first end 110 of the hollow cylinder 106.
[0031] Provided the piston 108 is located at the first end 110 of
the hollow cylinder 106, fluid flow from the inlet 102 to the
outlet channel 116 is blocked by the piston 108. Similarly, the
pressure of the fluid in the outlet channel 116 has no effect in
moving the piston 108 because the pressure of the fluid in the
outlet channel 116 acts laterally on the piston 108 at a perimeter
of the piston 108, and lateral motion of the piston 108 is
precluded by the hollow cylinder 106 defined by the cylinder
housing 101.
[0032] Provided the fluid pressure in the fluid flow system 20 to
which the cushioned relief valve in connected is within nominal
operational ranges, in this case nominally pressure P1, and is not
rapidly changing, the fluid pressure in the inlet 102 acting on the
first side 122 of the piston 108, and the pressure from the
diaphragm bias coupled to the second side 130 of the piston 108
through the first inner chamber 134, are equalized, and the piston
108 remains at the first end 110 of the hollow cylinder 106. The
piston 108, therefore blocks the flow between the inlet 102 and the
outlet channel 116, so that no fluid flows through the inlet 102
into the hollow cylinder 106, through the outlet channel 116 and
the outlet 104.
[0033] FIG. 2 also shows in greater detail the forces acting on the
piston 108 when fluid pressure is within nominal operating
parameters. The second side 130 of the piston 108 has an area A2,
and a force biasing the piston 108 toward the first end 110 of the
hollow cylinder 106, shown as bold downward pointing arrows, may be
calculated as:
F2=P2.times.A2 (Eq. 1)
[0034] The opening in the piston chamber 120 to the first end 110
of the hollow cylinder 106 has an area A1 that is defined by an
extent of piston seal surfaces 126 that are part of the piston 108.
The projection of area A1 onto the first side 122 of the piston 108
is shown by vertical dashed lines.
[0035] Pascale's law dictates that fluid pressure is distributed
uniformly in all directions, and applies to fluid pressure P1 in
the piston chamber 120. As a result, forces caused by fluid
pressure outside the area A1, and its projection onto the first
side 122 of the piston 108 within the piston chamber 120, shown by
narrow upward and downward arrows, acting on the first side 122 of
the piston 108 and a surface 146 of the piston chamber 120, defined
by an extent of the piston seal surfaces 126, cancel each other
out, and result in a net zero force acting on the piston 108.
[0036] The remaining forces acting on the first side 122 of the
piston 108 within the area A1, shown by bold arrows, may be
calculated as:
F1=P1.times.A1 (Eq. 2)
[0037] When the fluid pressure is within nominal operational
parameters and equalized between first inner chamber 134 and the
first end 110 of the hollow cylinder 106, P1=P2. As A1 is
significantly less than A2, F2 is therefore greater than F1, and a
net force acts on the second side 130 of the piston 108, and
maintains the piston 108 at the first end 110 of the hollow
cylinder 106 regardless of the spatial orientation of the cushion
valve. The areas A1 and A2 may be selected to determine a pressure
differential between P1 and P2 that would alter the relationship
between F1 and F2. For example, enlarging A1 to be closer in value
to A2 may reduce the amount of excess pressure at the first end 110
of the hollow cylinder 106 that would be required to move the
piston 108 toward the second end 114 of the hollow cylinder 106,
and vice versa.
[0038] Referring now to FIG. 3, the cushioned relief valve 10 is
illustrated in a condition of relieving increased pressure in a
fluid flow system 20 that can cause hydraulic shock, such as might
occur when a pump driving fluid in the fluid flow system 20 stops,
causing the fluid in the flow system to stop and reverse flow
direction. A hydraulic shockwave or other transient high pressure
pulse, with a pressure P3, can occur in the fluid flow system 20
and at the inlet 102. The inlet 102 of the cushioned relief valve
can divert the fluid flow from the fluid flow system 20 and relieve
the pressure P3, which is higher than the pressure P1.
[0039] The second side 130 of the piston 108, in contrast, is
coupled through the first inner chamber 134 to the diaphragm 132,
and is exposed to a pressure P4 that is equal to pressure P1, P2 at
the onset of the hydraulic shockwave or other transient high
pressure pulse. Thus, a pressure differential forms between the
first side 122 of the piston 108, at the pressure P3, which is much
higher than nominal operating pressure P1, and the second side 130
of the piston 108, at a pressure of P4.
[0040] In the case of hydraulic shock, the pressure differential
may form at a higher rate than the central aperture 128 of the
piston 108 may accommodate. Therefore, the dimensions of the
central aperture 128 of the piston 108 present a hydraulic
impedance, so the pressure differential across the piston 108
cannot immediately equalize through the central aperture 128.
[0041] As a result of the hydraulic impedance of the central
aperture 128 of the piston 108, and the pressure differential
formed between the first side 122 and the second side 130 of the
piston 108, the piston 108 can be forced toward the second end 114
of the hollow cylinder 106, against the diaphragm bias coupled to
the second side 130 of the piston 108 through the first inner
chamber 134. The first inner chamber 134 is thus forced toward the
diaphragm 132 as the piston 108 moves. The diaphragm 132
consequently deflects away from the first end 110 of the hollow
cylinder 106 and compresses the gas in the second inner chamber
138, and the return spring 142 when present, until the bias of the
diaphragm 132 acting on the second side 130 of the piston 108
through the first inner chamber 134 equalizes to the higher fluid
pressure P3 acting on the first side 122 of the piston 108, or
until the piston 108 stops against the retaining ring 112 and the
fluid entering the first inner chamber 134 expands the diaphragm
132 enough to equalize the bias of the diaphragm 132 with the
pressure P3.
[0042] A pressure gradient is also created between the first end
110 of the hollow cylinder 106, at pressure P3, and the outlet
channel 116, still at P1. When the piston 108 moves away from the
first end 110 of the hollow cylinder 106, the hollow cylinder 106
opens to the outlet channel 116, allowing fluid to flow from the
inlet 102 through the hollow cylinder 106 to the outlet channel
116. Pressure in the fluid flow system 20 may thus be relieved
around the fluid relief valve 10 as well as be dissipated by the
deflection of the piston 108.
[0043] Applying the force balance described with respect to FIG. 2
to FIG. 3, when the piston 108 is moved from the closed position,
releasing the seal at seal surface 126, the pressure P3 can act
against the full area A3. In these states, the force F2 biasing the
piston 108 toward the first end 110 of the hollow cylinder 106 is
calculated as:
F2=P2.times.A2, (Eq. 1)
because the pressure P4, which is equal to P2 in this state has not
yet equalized to the pressure P3. The force F1 biasing the piston
108 toward the second end 114 of the hollow cylinder 106, however,
is calculated as:
F1=P3.times.A3 (Eq. 3)
[0044] When P3 is sufficiently large, the force F1 is greater than
the force F2, and a net force acting on the first side 122 of the
piston 108 moves the piston 108 toward the second end 114 of the
hollow cylinder 106 until the piston 108 abuts against the
retaining ring 112. Thus, the inlet 102 and the outlet channel 116
can communicate with each other through the hollow cylinder
106.
[0045] While in this position the retaining ring 112 overlaps
against a portion of the piston 108, the overlap is not sealed, and
fluid can still exert pressure out to seals 127, and across the
full area A2. In this state, the force F2 acting on the second side
130 of the piston 108 is calculated as:
F2=P4.times.A2 (Eq. 4)
[0046] The pressures P3 and P4 are average pressures, though.
Looking closer along the first side 122 of the piston 108,
pressures vary, with greater pressure than P3 immediately around
the central aperture 128, and lower pressures than P3 at the
periphery of the first side 122. This variation is due to fluid
flowing out the outlet channel 116, and/or to the flow of fluid
into the piston chamber 120 being directed centrally through the
first end 110 after which the fluid expands to the periphery.
Accordingly, after the piston 108 moves to an extreme open position
against the retaining ring 112, fluid at a pressure greater than P3
is forced through the central aperture 128 of the piston 108, until
the pressure immediately within the first inner chamber 134
equalizes to this pressure greater than P3, resulting in a pressure
P4 also greater than pressure P3. As area A2 is equal to area A3 in
this state, and P4 is greater than P3, the forces acting on the
piston 108 return to a condition in which F2 is greater than F1,
and the piston 108 is biased toward the first end 110 of the hollow
cylinder 106.
[0047] As the piston 108 moves toward the hollow cylinder 106,
closing the opening of the outlet channel 116, less pressure is
drawn off the piston 108. The pressure P4 remains sufficiently
greater than the pressure P3, though, to force the piston 108 to
seal against the piston housing 101 at the sealing surface 126 of
the piston 108, where the seal draws the area back to A1,
decreasing the force F1 and increasing the bias of the piston
toward the closed position at the first end 110 of the hollow
cylinder 106.
[0048] When the piston 108 fully returns to the first end 110 of
the hollow cylinder 106, the connection between the inlet 102 and
the outlet channel 116 through the hollow cylinder 106 is again
closed. Further, when the piston 108 fully returns to the first end
110 of the hollow cylinder 106 and the shockwave pressure P3
dissipates so that fluid pressure in the fluid flow system 20
returns to a nominal operating pressure P1, the diaphragm 132 bias
forces fluid in the first inner chamber 134 back through the
central aperture 128 of the piston 108 and into the inlet 102, such
that the valve is again prepared to react to, and mitigate,
subsequent shock wave events as described herein.
[0049] Movement of the piston 108, and fluid flow through the inlet
102, the hollow cylinder 106, and the outlet channel 116 lessen the
small amount of retrograde flow in the fluid flow system 20 past
the cushioned relief valve 10, effectively slow the rate of change
of fluid pressure from P1 to P3 in the cushioned relief valve 10,
and allow excess pressure to be diverted out of the fluid flow
system 20, such that hydraulic shock is mitigated.
[0050] The cushioned relief valve 10 can be effective used alone,
or when used in conjunction with a check valve, positioned
downstream from the check valve. A check valve in a fluid flow
system upstream of the cushioned relief valve 10 can be subject to
hydraulic shock during a fluid flow stoppage, and the resulting
shockwave can impact a closed valve disk of the check valve. FIG. 4
is a schematic diagram of a fluid flow system 40 including the
cushioned relief valve 10 connected at a point downstream from a
check valve 50. Normal downstream flow is indicated by an arrow
labeled N, and reverse flow is indicated by an arrow labeled R. As
discussed above, particularly with reference to FIG. 3, the
cushioned relief valve 10 can cushion and divert a shockwave at a
point in the fluid flow system downstream from the check valve 50
as the shockwave travels reverse from the normal downstream flow,
thereby lessening the hydraulic shock that can occur at the check
valve 50.
[0051] Accordingly, it is to be understood that the embodiments of
the invention herein described are merely illustrative of the
application of the principles of the invention. Reference herein to
details of the illustrated embodiments is not intended to limit the
scope of the claims, which themselves recite those features
regarded as essential to the invention.
* * * * *