BE1027399A1 - Magnetic valve device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (10) for closing and opening a fluid passage between an interior space (1) of the device (10) and an exterior space (2) of the device (10). A movable member (30) is magnetically retained in a first position (51), which is a closed position, until the pressures in the interior (1) and exterior (2) spaces satisfy an open condition such as: that the force resulting from these pressures exceeds the magnetic retaining force.

Description

Magnetic valve device Technical field

The present invention relates to a device for closing a fluid connection between a space inside this device and a space outside this device and opening according to the pressures prevailing in these two spaces.

Prior art

[0002] Document US2011290326A1 describes a flow control device in which the flow control is automatic as a function of the temperature.

Summary of the invention

[0003] One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a device for opening and closing a fluid passage, the opening of which depends on the pressures on either side of the fluid passage.

To this end, the invention provides a device for opening a fluid passage between a space inside the device and a space outside the device located on a first side of the device, the device comprising: e a body comprising : o A first recess opening onto the first side of the device via a first opening, o A first wall located around the first recess, and o A first magnet mechanically coupled to the first wall, e a mobile element intended to take a first position in which the fluidic passage is closed and a second position in which the fluidic passage is open, the first and second positions being offset in a direction of movement, the movable element comprising: o a second recess, o a second wall located around the second recess and designed to slide in the first recess, o a shutter closing the first opening when the movable element is in the first position, o an intermediate part located between the second wall and the shutter, the intermediate part forming a fluid connection between the second recess and the outer space when the mobile element is in the second position, and a second magnet mechanically coupled to the second wall, the mobile element being arranged to undergo a force according to the direction of movement, the intensity of which depends on the pressure in the interior space and on the pressure in the exterior space, the first and the second magnets being arranged to exert on top of each other a magnetic force when the movable member is in the first position, the device being arranged so that said magnetic force tends to maintain the movable member in the first position.

In the device according to the invention, the mobile element is subjected to the following forces: the force due to the pressure prevailing in the interior space, the force due to the pressure prevailing in the exterior space and the magnetic force between the first magnet and the second magnet. The magnetic force, when the movable member is in the first position, acts on the movable member tending to move it away from the first side, so as to keep the fluid passage closed. In other words, this magnetic force pushes or pulls it in a direction away from the first side. Thus, when the movable element is in the first position, in order for it to pass into the second position, the pressures in the interior and exterior spaces must satisfy a condition called "opening condition" in order to counterbalance the force. magnetic. For example, the pressure in the interior space must be at least a predetermined threshold greater than the pressure in the exterior space. Indeed, in such a case, the force due to the difference in pressures makes it possible to counterbalance the magnetic force, which causes the mobile element to move, according to the direction of movement and towards the first side, so that the shutter moves away from the body. Thus, a pressure difference directly results in an opening of the device, which makes it possible to reduce the pressure difference since the fluid then flows from the interior space to the exterior space through the fluid passage.

[0006] The device is preferably arranged so that the direction of movement is the direction of the resultant of the forces due to the pressure prevailing in the interior space and to the pressure prevailing in the exterior space.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the first and second magnets are permanent magnets. This allows the open condition to be constant over time.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the intermediate part comprises fluid passages having a component perpendicular to the direction of movement.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the shutter extends perpendicular to the direction of movement.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the body comprises an oblique bearing surface, preferably curved and concave or convex, and forming a sealed contact with the shutter in the first position. The bearing surface of the body and the part of the shutter in contact with this bearing surface are complementary. Preferably, the bearing surface is spherical and forms a concave rounding and the complementary surface of the shutter is conical and forms a convex chamfer. The reverse is nevertheless possible while remaining within the scope of the invention.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the first magnet is offset towards the first side of the device relative to the second magnet.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the first magnet has a magnetic axis perpendicular to the direction of movement, and the second magnet has a magnetic axis perpendicular to the direction of movement and opposite to the magnetic axis of the first magnet.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the first magnet has a magnetic axis parallel to the direction of movement, and the second magnet has a magnetic axis parallel to the direction of movement and opposite to the magnetic axis of the first magnet, the device being arranged so that the south pole (respectively or north) of the first magnet pushes the south pole (respectively or north) of the second magnet into the first position.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the device has orthogonal symmetry with respect to a plane parallel to the direction of movement.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the body, the second recess, the second wall, the shutter and the second magnet have a cylindrical symmetry with an axis parallel to the direction of movement.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the first magnet is an injected magnet and / or the second magnet is an injected magnet. For example, the movable member can be made of a material comprising a resin and magnetizable particles, preferably paramagnetic. The mobile element can thus be formed by injection and then the second magnet can be magnetized.

[0017] The invention further provides an anti-siphon device, a shut-off valve, a bypass valve and a pressure limiting valve comprising a device according to any of the embodiments of the invention.

Brief description of the figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the detailed description which follows, for the understanding of which reference is made to the appended figures, among which: FIG. 1 is a view in longitudinal section of a device according to a first embodiment of the invention, in which the movable element is in a first position; - Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a device according to a first embodiment of the invention, in which the movable element is in a second position; - Figure 3 is a three-dimensional view of a device according to a first embodiment of the invention, in which the movable element is in a first position; - Figure 4 is a three-dimensional view of a device according to a first embodiment of the invention, in which the movable element is in a second position; - Figure 5 is a radial sectional view of a device according to a first embodiment of the invention; - Figure 6 is a three-dimensional view of a device according to a second embodiment of the invention, in which the movable element is in a first position; - Figure 7 is a radial sectional view of a movable element of a device according to a second embodiment of the invention; - Figure 8 is a three-dimensional view of a device according to a third embodiment of the invention, in which the movable element is in a second position; and - Figure 9 is a radial sectional view of a device according to a third embodiment of the invention.

Methods of carrying out the invention

The present invention is described with particular embodiments and references to figures, but the invention is not limited by them. The drawings or figures described are only schematic and are not limiting.

In the context of this document, the terms "first" and "second" serve only to differentiate the different elements and do not imply order between these elements.

In the figures, identical or similar elements may bear the same references.

Figures 1 to 5 illustrate a device 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention. Figures 6 and 7 illustrate a device 10 according to a second embodiment of the invention. Figures 8 and 9 illustrate a device 10 according to a third embodiment of the invention.

[0023] Unless the contrary is indicated or apparent in the context of the description, the characteristics described below are compatible with the three embodiments of the invention shown.

The device 10 allows the opening and closing of a fluid passage between an interior space 1 to the device 10 and an exterior space 2 to the device 10, the exterior space 2 being located on a first side 41 of the device. 10.

The device 10 comprises a body 20 and a movable element 30 provided to move in a direction of movement 3 relative to the body 20. The body 20 comprises a first recess 21 opening out from the first side 41 of the device 10 by a first opening 25, and preferably also opening at another location of the device 10. The body 20 also comprises a first wall 22 located around the first recess 21 and an end part 23 extending the first wall 22. The end part 23 forms one end of the body 20 on the first side

41 of the device 10 and is located at least partially around the first recess 21.

The movable element 30 is provided to take a first position 51 in which the fluid passage is closed (Figure 1) and a second position 52 in which the fluid passage is open (Figure 2). The first 51 and the second 52 positions are offset from each other in the direction of movement 3. The movable member 30 may be called a "valve".

[0027] The movable element 30 comprises a second recess 31 and a second wall 32 located around the second recess 31 and intended to slide in the first recess 21. In the first position 51, the second wall 32 is preferably fully engaged in the first recess 21. In the second position 52, the second wall 32 is preferably partially engaged in the first recess 21.

The movable element 30 also comprises a shutter 33 and an intermediate part 35 located between the second wall 32 and the shutter 33. Preferably, the shutter 33 closes the second recess 31 of the first side 41 of the device 10 in the first position 51. In the first position 51, the intermediate part 35 is preferably fully engaged in the first recess 21 and the shutter 33 is preferably partially engaged in the first recess 21. In the second position 52, the intermediate part 35 is preferably partially outside the first recess 21 and the shutter 33 is preferably completely outside the first recess

21. The shutter 33 closes the first opening 25 when the movable element 30 is in the first position 51. The intermediate part 35 forms a fluid connection between the second recess 31 and the outer space 2 when the movable element 30 is. in the second position 52, via a plurality of fluidic passages 36. In one embodiment of the invention, this fluidic connection is blocked in the first position 51 because the fluidic passages 36 are blocked by the body 20, for example by the first wall 22 and / or the end part 23.

The device 10 is arranged so that the movable element 30 is subjected to a force in the direction of movement 3, the intensity of which depends on the pressure in the interior space 1 and on the pressure in the exterior space 2, of the first side of the device. In one embodiment of the invention, the mobile element 30 may comprise a first surface part 38 partially delimiting the interior space 1 and having a component perpendicular to the direction of movement 3. Thus, in the first position 51, the pressure prevailing in the interior space 1 exerts on the first surface portion 38 a first pressure force in the direction of movement 3. This first pressure force pushes the shutter 33 to move away from the body 20. In addition, the movable element 30 may comprise a second surface portion 39 partially delimiting the outer space 2 and having a component perpendicular to the direction of movement 3. Thus, in the first position 51, the pressure prevailing in the outer space 2 exerts on the second surface portion 39 a second pressure force in the direction of movement 3. This second pressure force pushes the shutter 33 towards the body 20. Preferably, the first part ie surface 38 and the second surface portion 39 are located on the shutter 33.

The body 20 comprises a first magnet 24 mechanically coupled, preferably fixed, to the first wall 22. For example, the first magnet 24 can be integrated into the first wall 22. The movable element 30 comprises a second magnet 34 coupled mechanically, preferably fixed, to the second wall 32. For example, the second magnet 34 can be integrated into the second wall

32. The first 24 and the second 34 magnets are arranged to exert a magnetic force of repulsion or attraction on each other when the movable member 30 is in the first position 51. The magnetic force tends to maintain the magnetic force. 'movable element 30 in the first position 51 by pushing or attracting the movable element 30, in the direction of movement 3, towards the opposite of the first side 41. Thus, the device 10 remains closed, that is to say with the movable element 30 in the first position 51, as long as the pressures in the interior 1 and exterior 2 spaces do not satisfy a condition called "opening condition". The device 10 can of course comprise several first magnets 24 and / or several second magnets 34.

[0031] For example, the device 10 can operate as follows. The movable member 30 is initially held in the first position 51 by the magnetic force. Then, if the pressure in the interior space 1 increases sufficiently (or if the pressure in the exterior space 2 drops sufficiently), the force resulting from the pressures increases, allowing the open condition to be satisfied. Thus, the movable element 30 is pushed towards the first side 41 in the direction of movement 3 to arrive at the second position 52. This movement moves the shutter 33 away from the end part 23 and releases the intermediate part 35, allowing the fluidic passage from the interior space 1 to the exterior space 2. During this displacement, it is possible, for example if the first 24 and second 34 magnets are radial as illustrated in Figure 5, that the magnetic force increases, this which requires a force resulting from the pressures even greater than the force initially necessary to initiate the movement.

The first 24 and second 34 magnets are preferably permanent magnets. The first 24 and / or the second magnet 34 may be an injected magnet.

Preferably, the shutter 33 extends perpendicular to the direction of movement 3. In fact, the shutter 33 enables the first opening 25 which preferably extends at least partially in a plane perpendicular to the direction to be closed. of movement 3.

Preferably, the end portion 23 forms a stop limiting the shutter 33 to the first position 51 when it moves away in the direction opposite to the first side 41. Preferably, the end portion 23 comprises a inclined or oblique bearing surface 37, in the form of a rounded or chamfered shape which makes contact with the shutter 33 in the first position 51. This contact is preferably sealed in order to ensure the closing of the device 10.

Preferably, the fluidic passages 36 of the intermediate portion 35 allow movement of fluid in a direction not parallel to the direction of movement 3.

In one embodiment of the invention, the first wall 22 comprises a housing 26 in which the first magnet 24 is located, the housing 26 being arranged to allow movement of the first magnet 24 in the direction of movement 3 and to block the first magnet 24 in the direction of the first side 41. Indeed, as the magnetic force in the first position 51 pushes the first magnet 24 in the direction of the first side 41, it is not necessary to completely fix the first magnet 34 because , towards the first side 41, it is pressed against the housing 26.

In one embodiment of the invention, the first magnet 24 is offset, in the direction of movement 3, towards the first side 41 of the device 10 relative to the second magnet 34.

[0038] The device 10 may optionally include a seal 60 mechanically coupled to the end portion 23. It can make it possible to ensure the seal between different functions of a system comprising the device 10.

In the first embodiment of the invention, illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, the body 20, the second recess 31, the second wall 32, the shutter 33 and the second magnet 34 have a cylindrical symmetry of axis parallel to direction of movement 3.

In the second embodiment of the invention, illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the body 20 comprises two first magnets 24 in a circular arc.

In the third embodiment of the invention, illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, the device 10 has an oblong shape. The body 20 comprises two first magnets 24 placed on either side of the mobile element 30 and the mobile element 30 comprises two second magnets 34 located opposite the first magnets 24 when the mobile element 30 is in the second position 52. The first 24 and second 34 magnets may for example have a parallelepipedal shape.

In the first, the second and the third embodiments, the device 10 has orthogonal symmetry with respect to a plane 4 parallel to the direction of movement 3.

In a first variant of the invention, the first magnet 24 has a magnetic axis, or a plurality of magnetic axes, perpendicular (s) to the direction of movement 3, and the second magnet 34 has a magnetic axis, or a plurality of magnetic axes, perpendicular to the direction of movement 3 and opposite to the magnetic axis of the first magnet

24. FIG. 5 illustrates such an embodiment of the invention: the direction of movement 3 is perpendicular to the plane of the figure, the magnetic flux 241 generated by the first magnet 24 and the magnetic flux 341 generated by the second magnet 34 are in the plane of the figure. As FIG. 5 corresponds to a cylindrical symmetry of the first 24 and of the second 34 magnets, the magnetic axes of the first 24 and of the second 34 magnets are radial. The geometry illustrated in figures 6 and 7 can also be combined with magnetic axes perpendicular to the direct movement 3.

In a second variant of the invention, the first magnet 24 has a magnetic axis parallel to the direction of movement 3, and the second magnet 34 has a magnetic axis parallel to the direction of movement 3 and opposite to the axis magnetic field of the first magnet 24. The device 10 is arranged so that the south pole (or north) of the first magnet 24 is opposite the south pole (north respectively) of the second magnet 34 in the first position 51.

In other words, the invention relates to a device 10 for closing and opening a fluid passage between an interior space 1 to the device 10 and an exterior space 2 to the device 10. A movable element 30 is magnetically retained in a first position 51, which is a closed position, until the pressures in the interior 1 and exterior 2 spaces satisfy an open condition such that the force resulting from these pressures exceeds the magnetic retaining force

The present invention has been described in relation to specific embodiments, which have a purely illustrative value and should not be considered as limiting. In general, the present invention is not limited to the examples illustrated and / or described above. The use of the verbs "to understand", "to include", "to include", or any other variant, as well as their conjugations, can in no way exclude the presence of elements other than those mentioned. The use of the indefinite article "UN", "a", or of the definite article "the", "the" or "the", to introduce an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of these elements. Reference numbers in the claims do not limit their scope.

Claims (15)

Claims 1. Device (10) for opening a fluid passage between an interior space (1) to the device (10) and an exterior space (2) to the device (10) located on a first side (41) of the device ( 10), the device (10) comprising: e a body (20) comprising: o a first recess (21) opening on the first side (41) of the device (10) via a first opening (25), o a first wall ( 22) located around the first recess (21), and o A first magnet (24) mechanically coupled to the first wall (22), e a movable element (30) provided to take a first position (51) in which the fluid passage is closed and a second position (52) in which the fluidic passage is open, the first (51) and the second (52) positions being offset in a direction of movement (3), the movable element (30) comprising: o a second recess (31), o a second wall (32) located around the second recess (31) and intended to slide in the first recess (21), o a o shutter (33) closing the first opening (25) when the movable element (30) is in the first position (51), o an intermediate part (35) located between the second wall (32) and the shutter (33) , the intermediate part (35) forming a fluid connection between the second recess (31) and the outer space (2) when the movable element (30) is in the second position (52), and o a second magnet (34 ) mechanically coupled to the second wall (32), the movable element (30) being arranged to undergo a force in the direction of movement (3), the intensity of which depends on the pressure in the interior space (1) and on the pressure in the outer space (2), the first (24) and the second (34) magnets being arranged to exert a magnetic force on each other when the movable member (30) is in the first position (51), the device (10) being arranged so that said magnetic force tends to maintain the movable element (30) in the first position (51). 2. Device (10) according to claim (1) wherein the first (24) and second (34) magnets are permanent magnets. 3. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the intermediate part (35) comprises fluid passages (36) having a component perpendicular to the direction of movement (3). 4. Device (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the shutter (33) extends perpendicular to the direction of movement (3). 5. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body (20) comprises an oblique bearing surface (37), preferably curved and concave or convex, and forming a sealed contact with the shutter. (33) in the first position (51). 6. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first magnet (24) is offset towards the first side (41) of the device (10) relative to the second magnet (34). 7. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first magnet (24) has a magnetic axis perpendicular to the direction of movement (3), and the second magnet (34) has a magnetic axis perpendicular to it. the direction of movement (3) and opposite to the magnetic axis of the first magnet (24). Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first magnet (24) has a magnetic axis parallel to the direction of movement (3), and the second magnet (34) has a magnetic axis parallel to the direction of movement (3) and opposite to the magnetic axis of the first magnet (24), the device (10) being arranged so that the south pole (respectively north) of the first magnet (24) pushes the south pole (respectively north) ) of the second magnet (34) in the first position (51). 9. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, having orthogonal symmetry with respect to a plane (4) parallel to the direction of movement (3). 10. Device (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the body (20), the second recess (31), the second wall (32), the shutter (33) and the second magnet (34) have a cylindrical symmetry with an axis parallel to the direction of movement (3). 11. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first (24) and / or second (34) magnet is an injected magnet. 12. Anti-siphon device comprising the device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11. 13. Stop valve comprising the device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11. 14. A bypass valve comprising the device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11. 15. Pressure limiting valve comprising the device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11.