CA1259247A - Diverter valve - Google Patents
Diverter valveInfo
- Publication number
- CA1259247A CA1259247A CA000471695A CA471695A CA1259247A CA 1259247 A CA1259247 A CA 1259247A CA 000471695 A CA000471695 A CA 000471695A CA 471695 A CA471695 A CA 471695A CA 1259247 A CA1259247 A CA 1259247A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- outlet
- valve
- flow
- opening
- straight
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
- F16K11/00—Multiple-way valves, e.g. mixing valves; Pipe fittings incorporating such valves
- F16K11/02—Multiple-way valves, e.g. mixing valves; Pipe fittings incorporating such valves with all movable sealing faces moving as one unit
- F16K11/08—Multiple-way valves, e.g. mixing valves; Pipe fittings incorporating such valves with all movable sealing faces moving as one unit comprising only taps or cocks
- F16K11/085—Multiple-way valves, e.g. mixing valves; Pipe fittings incorporating such valves with all movable sealing faces moving as one unit comprising only taps or cocks with cylindrical plug
- F16K11/0853—Multiple-way valves, e.g. mixing valves; Pipe fittings incorporating such valves with all movable sealing faces moving as one unit comprising only taps or cocks with cylindrical plug having all the connecting conduits situated in a single plane perpendicular to the axis of the plug
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G53/00—Conveying materials in bulk through troughs, pipes or tubes by floating the materials or by flow of gas, liquid or foam
- B65G53/34—Details
- B65G53/52—Adaptations of pipes or tubes
- B65G53/56—Switches
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Multiple-Way Valves (AREA)
- Filling Or Emptying Of Bunkers, Hoppers, And Tanks (AREA)
- Sliding Valves (AREA)
- Air Transport Of Granular Materials (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF DISCLOSURE
A diverter valve for a use in a system for pneumatically conveying solid particulate material such as plastic pellets.
The valve is capable of diverting te flow of fluid and suspended material from a straight through path to a diverted outlet which is perpendicular to the straight through path. The valve in-cludes a cylindrical valve body with end plates. A rotor is rotatably mounted in the valve body and includes a diverter plate which rotates about an axis parallel to but offset from the axis of the valve body. The diverter plate is movable be-tween a first position which permits straight through flow while sealing the diverted outlet and a second position which diverts material flow to the diverted outlet while sealing the straight through outlet.
A diverter valve for a use in a system for pneumatically conveying solid particulate material such as plastic pellets.
The valve is capable of diverting te flow of fluid and suspended material from a straight through path to a diverted outlet which is perpendicular to the straight through path. The valve in-cludes a cylindrical valve body with end plates. A rotor is rotatably mounted in the valve body and includes a diverter plate which rotates about an axis parallel to but offset from the axis of the valve body. The diverter plate is movable be-tween a first position which permits straight through flow while sealing the diverted outlet and a second position which diverts material flow to the diverted outlet while sealing the straight through outlet.
Description
92~S;7 DIV~RT~R VALV~
B~CKGROUND_OF INV~TrON
The pre6ent invention relates to a valve used in a sys~em for conveyinq particulate or pulverulent material while it i8 suspended in a fluid such as air under pressure. More particu-larly, the invention relates to a diverter valve for diverting material flow 90 from a straight through ~low path. The valve is particularly adapted for use in applications ~uch a6 in the distribution of material ~rom a single conYeying line to a plu-rality of use or storage points.
Prior to the present invention. it was known to utilize di-verter valves in ~neumatic conveying systems. Typical diverter valves utilize a minimum acute diversion angle so that matesial entering ~he valve will either flow straight through the valve or at an acute angle to the flow into the valve. In some in-stances, both outle~s are at an acute angle to the inlet to form a IIVII ~hape in cross ~ection. Prior to the pre~ent invention.
it was believed that an acute diversion angle was nece~sary to avoid excessiYe wear of the valve part~ and avoid material build-up within the valve. Diverter valveR of the prior art are utilized in conjunction with long radius pipe bends, cyclone type gas solid 6eparator~ and target boxes to permit ~atQrial to be discharged ~rom the conveying line into a storage point such as a silo ar directly to a u~e point. Where a ~ingle conveying line i~ used t:o supply solid particulate material such as plastic pelleSs to a plurality of u e points or s~orage sîlo~, a long norizontai pipe above the silo~ or use point~ will have several diverter valves posi~ioned at spaced apart points along its length near each silo inlet or u~e point. The valves are 1164L/sl-3 -1~ ~
~et to allo~ material to ai~her flow ~traight through to a do~n-stream silo or use point or be diverted into a diverted outlet and its associated conduit ~o that material will be conveyed to it associated silo or u8e point. With a diverter valv~ having a narrow divar~ion angle, the diverted outlot must be connected to a conveying conduit havinq a long radius bend, or to cyclone separator or target box ~o enable material to be discharged from the horizontal conduit into a given u~e point or storage 6ilo inlet.
With the present invention, it hAs be~n found Ithat a 90 diversion can be achieved 80 that material ca~ b~ diverted from a straight through flow path to a diverted outlet which i8 per-pendicular thereto. In an application where a horizontal con-veying line is used to feed 6everal 8ilo8 or use point~, the use of the diverter valve of the present invention permits material to be diverted directly into the storage ~ilo eliminating the need for long radiu~ pipe bend~, cyclone~, target boxe~ and their associated ~upporting membars, thereby creating a comeact system and reducing cost~.
SUMMA Y
The principal object of the present invention is to p~ovide a diverter valve for u6e in a sy6tem for conveying solid part-iculate material by means of a fluid which is capable of divart-ing material from a straight through flow path to a diver~ed flow path which is subtantially 90 to the straight through flo~ path.
It i8 a further object of this inven~ion to provide a di-verter valve for a pneumatic co~veying 6yste~ which i8 capable of diverting flow of solid particulate material being conveyed 90 while permitting the 90 diverted outlet to be vented to the straight through outlet.
1164~/81-3 -2-~Z5~ 7 In general, the foregoing and other object~ will be ca~ried out by providing a valve Por sslectively controlling the flow of particulate material suspended in a ~luid from a first conduit to either a second or third conduit comprising a generally cylindrical body having end plat~l3. a fir6t opening adapted to be connected to a first conduit, a second opening adapted to be connected to a second conduit and a third opening adapted to be connected to a third conduit; a rotor rotatably mounted in said body between said end plates; and means for rotating said rotor between a first position which permit~ fluid and suspended particulate material to flow from said first opening to said second opening while sub6tantially preventing fluid and ~u~-pended particulate material from flowing to said third opening and a second position which permits fluid and suspended particu-late material to flow from said first opening to said third opening while sub6tantially preventing fluid and suspended particulate material from flowing to said second opening; said rotor being generally H-shaped in cross-6ection and rotatable about an axis coextensive with the axis of the cylindrical body and having a cross piece which is parallel to but offset from the access of rotation.
The cross piece of the H-shaped rotor member can be con-sidered to be a diverter plate and when in the first po~ition the diverter plate seal the diverted outlet of the valve and allows material tO flow straight through the valve. In the second position, the diverter plate seals ~he outlet that i5 aligned with the inlet and diverts material to a 90 outlet.
The H-shaped member in general and the diverter plate in parti-cular is de~igned so tha~ there are no internal shoulders within the valve body which could result in material build-up. The diYerter plate can be a.cua~e in shape to confoLm to the shape of the conveying conduit.
1164L/sl-3 _3_ ~ 7 ThQ valve i8 al~o designed 80 that if the diverter plat~ i8 rotatod in the opposite direction. it will not seal one of the opening~ in the valv~ so that the valve can be used as not only a mean~ for diverting material into a bin but al~o at the ~ame time serve to vent that bin.
The valve is designed 80 that the rotor is supported at each end by bearings mounted in the end plate. Close clearances are maintained between the rotor and the valve body to minimize leakage of conveying air. The valve i8 powered by some suitable means ~uch as an air operator or electric motor operator or even hand operation. A limit switch i6 utilized on ~he device ~o give an indication of ~he position of the valve rotor to a remote location such a~ a panel in a central control roo~.
BaIEP DESCRIPTION OF THE DRA~INGS
Tha invention will be de~cribed in connection with the an-nexed drawings wherein:
Fig. 1 is an end view of a diver~ing valve according ~o the present invention;
Fig. 2 i8 a side elevation of a diveLter valve according to the present invention:
Fig. 3 i~ an side elevation view of the diverting valve ac-cording to the present invention taken from the ~ide opposite to that shown in Fig. Z:
Pig. 4 is a sectional view of the diverter valve according to the present invention:
Fiq. 5 is a ~;Q~tisnal view takan on the line 5-5 oP Fig. 4 showing the valve rotor in one position of operation;
Pig. 6 is a vie~ also ~aken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4 but showing thQ val~a ro~or in â dirîerent position of rotatio~;
Fig. 7 is a view also taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. g but showing the valve rotor rotated into an alternate position.
1164L/81-3 _4_ Z~7 Fi~. 8 and 9 are diagramatic view~ of various possible orientation~ of the present invention.
D~SCRIPTION OF T~ PRFFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawing6, thla diverter ~alve o~ the pre~ent invention includes a valve bod~y generally indicated by the nu~eral 10 having a first flanged opening 11 adapted to be con-nected to an upstream or fir~t conveying conduit (not 6hown), a second flanged opening 12 adapted to be connected to a down-stream or second conveying conduit (not shown), and a third flanged opening 13 adapted to be connectad to a downstream or third conveying conduit (not 6hown) or directly to a storage or use point. The first or inlet opening 11 i8 coaxially aligned with the second or straight ~hrough outlet opening 12 to define a straight through flow path for 601id particulate material to be conveyed. The third or diverted outlet opening 13 i~ perpen-dicular to the opening6 11 and 12 and the straight through flow path.
The inside of the valve body 10 i~ cylindrical in configura-tion with a pair of end plates 15 and 16 as best shown in Fig.
4. The center of the valve body ha an axis at 18.
A rotor 20 i8 mounted within the valve body 10 by means of a shaft 21 rotatably mounted in bearings 22 fitted within the end plates 15 and 16. As shown in Fig. 4, in cros6-section, the rotor 20 is H-~haped wi~h a pair of legs and a cro6~ piece 25.
The leg6 are formed by a pair of spaced apart circular plates 23, each having a circumferential flange 24 dimen~ioned to seal-ingly engage the cylindrical body 10 and prevent fluid leakage out of the valve 10. The rotor 20 i8 rotatable abou~ ~he axi~
18 of the val~e body 10.
The cros6-member 25 of the H-6haped ~ember is preferrably arcuate in 6hape a~ shown in Fig. 4 and con~titutes a means de-fining a diverter plate for 6~1ectively sealing the diversion outlet 13 to allow material to flow straight through the valve or to divert material into the 90 diverted outlet 13 while sealing the straight through outlet 12. The cro~6 piece 25 i8 parallel to but offset from the axis 18 of the rotor. As can be seen in Fig 4 and 5, when the diverter plate 25 i~ positioned to be parallel to the openings 11 and 12, tha axi~ 26 of the diverter p.late 25 i~ parallel to but above the axis 18. ~hen the valve member 20 is rotated about axis 18 to a position to divert material into outlet 13, the axi~ of rotatlon 26 of cros~
member 25 i6 parallel to but spaced horizontally from the axis 18. The arcuate shape of the cross member ensures that the cross member substatially ~onforms in shape to the opening~ 11 and 12 and forms the cylindrical bot~om of the straight through flow path.
When the rotor is rotated so that the diverter plate 25 i~
in a first position as shown in Fig. 5, material will flow from an up~tream conduit through opening 11 to aligned opening 12 and a downstream conveying conduit operatively associated with the outlet 12. The rotor 20 is designed so that in this position, there are no internal ~houlder~ or projections in the direction of material flow. The diverted opening 13 is sealed by the rotor 20 and plate 25. When the rotor is rotated 90 to a second position as shown in Fig. 6, the diverter plate 25 seals the through outlet 12 and opens the diver6ion outlet 13.
Material being conveyed ~trikes the rotor plate 25 and the flow of fluid and su~pended material is diverted 90 through the di-version outlet 13 and a downstream conduie operatively a6~0ci-ated with that outlet. The outlet 12 i~ sealed by the plate 25. The rotor 20 is designed 80 that in thi~ position thece are no internal projections or shoulders in the direction of material ~low. The absence of 6uch ~houlder~ eliminates wear 1164L/sl-3 -6-'92~
points and point6 where material build up can taks place within the valYe.
It can be seen that by the ability to divert material flow soo~ the need for long radius bend~ at the diverted outlet has been eliminated. The valve itself ser~e~ to direct material flow perpendicular to a straight through flow path and can direct material flow directly into a storage 6ilo or to ano~her downstream conveying line. Because the valve can be placed di-rectly over a use point, the long radiu~ bends, target box or cyclone and their associated support structure required when narrow angle diverter valve~ of the prior art are used can be eliminated to achieve a reduction in sy6tem cost. As compared to the prior practice o~ using a di~arter valve wi~h an acute angle of diver~ion, the present valve achieve~ a reduction in abra~ive wear of the components of the valve and as~ociated equipment and therefore, a longer life i~ believed to be achieved. In addition, becau~e of the direct diversion to 90~, it is believed that there will be less product degradation which is particularly important when conveying pla~tic pellets which tend to develop 6treamer~ and fines during the conveying pro-cess.
Referring to Fig6. 1 to 3, a means for operating the valve of the present inven~ion has been shown. In the arrangement shown, an air cylinder generally indicated at 40 is sultably connected through gearing well known in the art to the rotor shaft 21. A source of air under pressure is connected by a valve 41 through conduit 42 and 43 to each ~ide of the air cylinder 40. When air is ~upplied from a 60urce (not shown) through valve 41 and conduit 42 to the right hand side of the air cylinder ~0 as 6hown in Fig. 2, the air cylinder will move to the lefe and the valve rot~r ~0 will b~ ~otated in a ci9ck-wi~e direction, :i.e., from the position sho~n in Fig. 6 towards the po~ition 6hown in Fig. 5 ~o ~hat material being conveyed 1164L/sl-3 -7-~7 from an upstream conduit into the valve body 10 through inlst 11 will be onveyed straight through the divarter valve to outlet 12 and its associated downstream conduit. The third opening 13 is sealed by the diverter plate 25. ~hen the valve 41 is se~ so that air i8 supplied from the source through line 43 to the left side of air cylinder 40 as shown in Fi~. 2, then the air cyl-inder 40 will move to the right and the valve rotor 20 will be rotated in a counterclock-wise position, i.e., from the position shown in Fig. 5 to the position slhown in Fig. 6. In ~his po~i-tion, material being conveyed from an upstream conduit into thevalve though inlet opening 11 will strike the diverter plate 25 and be diverted to diverted outlet oe third opening 13. The second or through outlet 12 is sealed by plate 25.
The air cylinder operator includes mechanical means (not shown) for limiting its movement and hence limiting the rotation of rotor 20 to the positions shown. O~her types of operators such as electric motors will include suitable means for limi~ing the amount of rotation of the diverter plate 25.
An inverted V-shaped member 46 (Fig. 3) is keyed to the rotor shaft 21 on the side opposite to the motor 40. The position of this V-shaped member 46 can be adjusted relative to the position of the shaft by bolts 47 riding in slots 48 in a manner generally known in the art. A limit switch 50 i8 connected to the valve body by means of a bracket 51. Thi~
limit switch has a operator 52 which rides within the V-shaped member 46. As the shaft 21 i6 rotated, the legs of the Y-shaped member 46 will move in an arcuate path to actua~e ~witch lever 52. The switch 50 is operatively connected to an indica~or which may be remotely located such as on a panel in a central control room. The V-shaped member also serves to give an immediate visu~l ind~cation oF the position o~ ~he valve rotor.
While the present invention ha~ been described as being operated by an air cylinder motor, it should be understood that 1164L/s1-3 -8 he valve can be operated by an electric motor, by hand or by any other suitable mean~ ~nown in the art.
The design of the present invention i8 al~o suitable for use in supplying material eO a silo and at the same time venting that silo. Referring to Fig. 7, the ~econd opening 12 becomes the inlet for the valve and the first opening 11 becomes an out-let for the valve. The opening 13 continues to serve as a di-version outlet. With the valve member 20 positioned ~o that the plate 25 is in the po6ition 6hown in Fig. 5, material will ~low from what i8 now inlet 12 straighl: through the valve to what i~
now outlet 11. When the valve member 20 i6 rotated so that di-verter plate 25 i6 in the po6ition shown in Fig. 7, material being conveyed will strike the diverter plate 25 and be diverted 90 into the outlet 13 and the silo or u6e point flow connected thereto. However, in this po~ition, the plate 25 does not com-pletely seal the outlet 11 as there is a ~pace 60 between the walls 61 of the outlet 13 and the valve body 10. This ~pace serves as a vent for the outlet 13 and it~ a6sociated conduit or delivery point while material being conveyed and the conveying gas is diverted into the outlet 13 and the storage point or conveying line, the opening 60 serves to allow venting of tha~
storage point or conveying line through outlet 11.
If the valve i6 to be utilized as 6hown in Fig. 7, a mechanism for rotating the rotor 20 different from that shown in Fig~. 1 to 3 would be required in that a 6ingle air cylinder could not be used to rotate the valve between positions show~ in Figs. 5 and 6 and the position6 shown in Fig~. 5 and 7. It should be noted~ however, the valve body and rotor are the same in design and if manual or rever~ible electric motor rotation of rotor 20 i6 contemplated, a 6ingle valve can be rotated to all three po6itions.
Thus, with the p.esent invention, the rotor 20 is rotatable in one direction between a first position (Fig. S) which permi~6 1164L/sl-3 -9-a7 luid and ~u~pended particulate material to flow from the first opening 11 to the econd opening L2 while the cro6~ member 25 seals the third opening 13 and a 6econd position (Fig. 6~ which permits fluid and 6uspended particulate material to flow from said first openiny 11 to said third opening 13 while the cro66 member 25 seals the second opening 12. The valva roter 20 could be rotated in the other direction between a first position (Fig.
S) which permits fluid and suspended particulate material to flow from ~he second opening 12 to the first opening 11 while sealing the third opening 13 and a second po6ition (Fig. 7) which permits fluid and suspended particulate material to flow from the ~econd opening 12 to the third opening 13 while venting fluid from the third opening 13 though pas6age 60 to the fir~t opening 11.
The diverter valve of the present invention has been de-scribed and illustrated herein in a position for diverting the flow of material from a generally horizontal conveying conduit downwardly into a silo or use point. The valve is also applic-able to other orientations and oeher u6es in pneumatic conveying 6ystems such as to divert material flow from one conveying line to another. For example, as shown in Fig. 8, the valve could be positioned so that the straigh~ through flow path 100 were hori-zontal and the diverted flow path 101 were also horizontal bu~
at an angle of 90 to the straight through flow path as illus-trated in Fig. 8B, or the diverted outlet could be vertical in an upward direction as illustra~ed in Fig. 8A or at some angle between vertical upward and vertical downward a6 illustrated in Fig. 8C. In addition, the valve could be oriented ~o that the straight through flow path i6 vertical and the diverted outlet 30 i8 correspondingly adju6ted as illustrated in Fig. 9. For example, the straight flow path 100 could be vertical and the diverted path lOL could be horizontal ~o the right as in Fig. 9A
or in or out of the paper as ~hown in Fig. 9B. In addition, both 1164L/sl-3 -10-'7 low paths 100 and 101 could be at an angle as in Fig. 9C but at an angle to ea~h other. Thu8, it 6hould be clear that the orientation of the valve i6 not critical to the pre6ent inven-tion and all orientations are contemplated hereby.
I~ should also be noted that the de6ign of the rotor 20 i8 ~uch that it could be used where tha diverted outlet is at an angle other than 90 such a~ at 45 or 60. While the inven-tion i8 primarily intended for u~e as a 90 diverter valve, i~
is also within the present invention to use the rotor illu8 trated where the diverted outlet 13 is at an angle other that 9oo .
From the foregoing it can be seen that the objects of the present invention have been carried ou~. A valve ha~ been pro-vided which i5 capable of allowing material to flow straight through the valve or diverting the material at an angle to the s~raight through flow pa~h. The valve has been de~igned to sub-stantially eliminate shoulders and projection6 in the material flow path to thereby reduce the likelihood of material build up, valve wear and product degradation. By using a 90 diverter valve according to the present invention, part~ neces6ary to achieve a de~ired 90 turn in material flow can be eliminated.
The valve is de~igned 80 that in the position of Fig. 5, material flow to the diverted outlet is substantially prevented while in the po6ition of Fig. 6 material flow to the through outlet 12 is 6ubstantially prevented.
It i6 intended that the foregoing be a de6cription of a pre-ferred e~bodiment and that the invention be limited solely by that which i8 within the 6cope of the appended clai~s.
1164L/sl-3
B~CKGROUND_OF INV~TrON
The pre6ent invention relates to a valve used in a sys~em for conveyinq particulate or pulverulent material while it i8 suspended in a fluid such as air under pressure. More particu-larly, the invention relates to a diverter valve for diverting material flow 90 from a straight through ~low path. The valve is particularly adapted for use in applications ~uch a6 in the distribution of material ~rom a single conYeying line to a plu-rality of use or storage points.
Prior to the present invention. it was known to utilize di-verter valves in ~neumatic conveying systems. Typical diverter valves utilize a minimum acute diversion angle so that matesial entering ~he valve will either flow straight through the valve or at an acute angle to the flow into the valve. In some in-stances, both outle~s are at an acute angle to the inlet to form a IIVII ~hape in cross ~ection. Prior to the pre~ent invention.
it was believed that an acute diversion angle was nece~sary to avoid excessiYe wear of the valve part~ and avoid material build-up within the valve. Diverter valveR of the prior art are utilized in conjunction with long radius pipe bends, cyclone type gas solid 6eparator~ and target boxes to permit ~atQrial to be discharged ~rom the conveying line into a storage point such as a silo ar directly to a u~e point. Where a ~ingle conveying line i~ used t:o supply solid particulate material such as plastic pelleSs to a plurality of u e points or s~orage sîlo~, a long norizontai pipe above the silo~ or use point~ will have several diverter valves posi~ioned at spaced apart points along its length near each silo inlet or u~e point. The valves are 1164L/sl-3 -1~ ~
~et to allo~ material to ai~her flow ~traight through to a do~n-stream silo or use point or be diverted into a diverted outlet and its associated conduit ~o that material will be conveyed to it associated silo or u8e point. With a diverter valv~ having a narrow divar~ion angle, the diverted outlot must be connected to a conveying conduit havinq a long radius bend, or to cyclone separator or target box ~o enable material to be discharged from the horizontal conduit into a given u~e point or storage 6ilo inlet.
With the present invention, it hAs be~n found Ithat a 90 diversion can be achieved 80 that material ca~ b~ diverted from a straight through flow path to a diverted outlet which i8 per-pendicular thereto. In an application where a horizontal con-veying line is used to feed 6everal 8ilo8 or use point~, the use of the diverter valve of the present invention permits material to be diverted directly into the storage ~ilo eliminating the need for long radiu~ pipe bend~, cyclone~, target boxe~ and their associated ~upporting membars, thereby creating a comeact system and reducing cost~.
SUMMA Y
The principal object of the present invention is to p~ovide a diverter valve for u6e in a sy6tem for conveying solid part-iculate material by means of a fluid which is capable of divart-ing material from a straight through flow path to a diver~ed flow path which is subtantially 90 to the straight through flo~ path.
It i8 a further object of this inven~ion to provide a di-verter valve for a pneumatic co~veying 6yste~ which i8 capable of diverting flow of solid particulate material being conveyed 90 while permitting the 90 diverted outlet to be vented to the straight through outlet.
1164~/81-3 -2-~Z5~ 7 In general, the foregoing and other object~ will be ca~ried out by providing a valve Por sslectively controlling the flow of particulate material suspended in a ~luid from a first conduit to either a second or third conduit comprising a generally cylindrical body having end plat~l3. a fir6t opening adapted to be connected to a first conduit, a second opening adapted to be connected to a second conduit and a third opening adapted to be connected to a third conduit; a rotor rotatably mounted in said body between said end plates; and means for rotating said rotor between a first position which permit~ fluid and suspended particulate material to flow from said first opening to said second opening while sub6tantially preventing fluid and ~u~-pended particulate material from flowing to said third opening and a second position which permits fluid and suspended particu-late material to flow from said first opening to said third opening while sub6tantially preventing fluid and suspended particulate material from flowing to said second opening; said rotor being generally H-shaped in cross-6ection and rotatable about an axis coextensive with the axis of the cylindrical body and having a cross piece which is parallel to but offset from the access of rotation.
The cross piece of the H-shaped rotor member can be con-sidered to be a diverter plate and when in the first po~ition the diverter plate seal the diverted outlet of the valve and allows material tO flow straight through the valve. In the second position, the diverter plate seals ~he outlet that i5 aligned with the inlet and diverts material to a 90 outlet.
The H-shaped member in general and the diverter plate in parti-cular is de~igned so tha~ there are no internal shoulders within the valve body which could result in material build-up. The diYerter plate can be a.cua~e in shape to confoLm to the shape of the conveying conduit.
1164L/sl-3 _3_ ~ 7 ThQ valve i8 al~o designed 80 that if the diverter plat~ i8 rotatod in the opposite direction. it will not seal one of the opening~ in the valv~ so that the valve can be used as not only a mean~ for diverting material into a bin but al~o at the ~ame time serve to vent that bin.
The valve is designed 80 that the rotor is supported at each end by bearings mounted in the end plate. Close clearances are maintained between the rotor and the valve body to minimize leakage of conveying air. The valve i8 powered by some suitable means ~uch as an air operator or electric motor operator or even hand operation. A limit switch i6 utilized on ~he device ~o give an indication of ~he position of the valve rotor to a remote location such a~ a panel in a central control roo~.
BaIEP DESCRIPTION OF THE DRA~INGS
Tha invention will be de~cribed in connection with the an-nexed drawings wherein:
Fig. 1 is an end view of a diver~ing valve according ~o the present invention;
Fig. 2 i8 a side elevation of a diveLter valve according to the present invention:
Fig. 3 i~ an side elevation view of the diverting valve ac-cording to the present invention taken from the ~ide opposite to that shown in Fig. Z:
Pig. 4 is a sectional view of the diverter valve according to the present invention:
Fiq. 5 is a ~;Q~tisnal view takan on the line 5-5 oP Fig. 4 showing the valve rotor in one position of operation;
Pig. 6 is a vie~ also ~aken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4 but showing thQ val~a ro~or in â dirîerent position of rotatio~;
Fig. 7 is a view also taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. g but showing the valve rotor rotated into an alternate position.
1164L/81-3 _4_ Z~7 Fi~. 8 and 9 are diagramatic view~ of various possible orientation~ of the present invention.
D~SCRIPTION OF T~ PRFFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawing6, thla diverter ~alve o~ the pre~ent invention includes a valve bod~y generally indicated by the nu~eral 10 having a first flanged opening 11 adapted to be con-nected to an upstream or fir~t conveying conduit (not 6hown), a second flanged opening 12 adapted to be connected to a down-stream or second conveying conduit (not shown), and a third flanged opening 13 adapted to be connectad to a downstream or third conveying conduit (not 6hown) or directly to a storage or use point. The first or inlet opening 11 i8 coaxially aligned with the second or straight ~hrough outlet opening 12 to define a straight through flow path for 601id particulate material to be conveyed. The third or diverted outlet opening 13 i~ perpen-dicular to the opening6 11 and 12 and the straight through flow path.
The inside of the valve body 10 i~ cylindrical in configura-tion with a pair of end plates 15 and 16 as best shown in Fig.
4. The center of the valve body ha an axis at 18.
A rotor 20 i8 mounted within the valve body 10 by means of a shaft 21 rotatably mounted in bearings 22 fitted within the end plates 15 and 16. As shown in Fig. 4, in cros6-section, the rotor 20 is H-~haped wi~h a pair of legs and a cro6~ piece 25.
The leg6 are formed by a pair of spaced apart circular plates 23, each having a circumferential flange 24 dimen~ioned to seal-ingly engage the cylindrical body 10 and prevent fluid leakage out of the valve 10. The rotor 20 i8 rotatable abou~ ~he axi~
18 of the val~e body 10.
The cros6-member 25 of the H-6haped ~ember is preferrably arcuate in 6hape a~ shown in Fig. 4 and con~titutes a means de-fining a diverter plate for 6~1ectively sealing the diversion outlet 13 to allow material to flow straight through the valve or to divert material into the 90 diverted outlet 13 while sealing the straight through outlet 12. The cro~6 piece 25 i8 parallel to but offset from the axis 18 of the rotor. As can be seen in Fig 4 and 5, when the diverter plate 25 i~ positioned to be parallel to the openings 11 and 12, tha axi~ 26 of the diverter p.late 25 i~ parallel to but above the axis 18. ~hen the valve member 20 is rotated about axis 18 to a position to divert material into outlet 13, the axi~ of rotatlon 26 of cros~
member 25 i6 parallel to but spaced horizontally from the axis 18. The arcuate shape of the cross member ensures that the cross member substatially ~onforms in shape to the opening~ 11 and 12 and forms the cylindrical bot~om of the straight through flow path.
When the rotor is rotated so that the diverter plate 25 i~
in a first position as shown in Fig. 5, material will flow from an up~tream conduit through opening 11 to aligned opening 12 and a downstream conveying conduit operatively associated with the outlet 12. The rotor 20 is designed so that in this position, there are no internal ~houlder~ or projections in the direction of material flow. The diverted opening 13 is sealed by the rotor 20 and plate 25. When the rotor is rotated 90 to a second position as shown in Fig. 6, the diverter plate 25 seals the through outlet 12 and opens the diver6ion outlet 13.
Material being conveyed ~trikes the rotor plate 25 and the flow of fluid and su~pended material is diverted 90 through the di-version outlet 13 and a downstream conduie operatively a6~0ci-ated with that outlet. The outlet 12 i~ sealed by the plate 25. The rotor 20 is designed 80 that in thi~ position thece are no internal projections or shoulders in the direction of material ~low. The absence of 6uch ~houlder~ eliminates wear 1164L/sl-3 -6-'92~
points and point6 where material build up can taks place within the valYe.
It can be seen that by the ability to divert material flow soo~ the need for long radius bend~ at the diverted outlet has been eliminated. The valve itself ser~e~ to direct material flow perpendicular to a straight through flow path and can direct material flow directly into a storage 6ilo or to ano~her downstream conveying line. Because the valve can be placed di-rectly over a use point, the long radiu~ bends, target box or cyclone and their associated support structure required when narrow angle diverter valve~ of the prior art are used can be eliminated to achieve a reduction in sy6tem cost. As compared to the prior practice o~ using a di~arter valve wi~h an acute angle of diver~ion, the present valve achieve~ a reduction in abra~ive wear of the components of the valve and as~ociated equipment and therefore, a longer life i~ believed to be achieved. In addition, becau~e of the direct diversion to 90~, it is believed that there will be less product degradation which is particularly important when conveying pla~tic pellets which tend to develop 6treamer~ and fines during the conveying pro-cess.
Referring to Fig6. 1 to 3, a means for operating the valve of the present inven~ion has been shown. In the arrangement shown, an air cylinder generally indicated at 40 is sultably connected through gearing well known in the art to the rotor shaft 21. A source of air under pressure is connected by a valve 41 through conduit 42 and 43 to each ~ide of the air cylinder 40. When air is ~upplied from a 60urce (not shown) through valve 41 and conduit 42 to the right hand side of the air cylinder ~0 as 6hown in Fig. 2, the air cylinder will move to the lefe and the valve rot~r ~0 will b~ ~otated in a ci9ck-wi~e direction, :i.e., from the position sho~n in Fig. 6 towards the po~ition 6hown in Fig. 5 ~o ~hat material being conveyed 1164L/sl-3 -7-~7 from an upstream conduit into the valve body 10 through inlst 11 will be onveyed straight through the divarter valve to outlet 12 and its associated downstream conduit. The third opening 13 is sealed by the diverter plate 25. ~hen the valve 41 is se~ so that air i8 supplied from the source through line 43 to the left side of air cylinder 40 as shown in Fi~. 2, then the air cyl-inder 40 will move to the right and the valve rotor 20 will be rotated in a counterclock-wise position, i.e., from the position shown in Fig. 5 to the position slhown in Fig. 6. In ~his po~i-tion, material being conveyed from an upstream conduit into thevalve though inlet opening 11 will strike the diverter plate 25 and be diverted to diverted outlet oe third opening 13. The second or through outlet 12 is sealed by plate 25.
The air cylinder operator includes mechanical means (not shown) for limiting its movement and hence limiting the rotation of rotor 20 to the positions shown. O~her types of operators such as electric motors will include suitable means for limi~ing the amount of rotation of the diverter plate 25.
An inverted V-shaped member 46 (Fig. 3) is keyed to the rotor shaft 21 on the side opposite to the motor 40. The position of this V-shaped member 46 can be adjusted relative to the position of the shaft by bolts 47 riding in slots 48 in a manner generally known in the art. A limit switch 50 i8 connected to the valve body by means of a bracket 51. Thi~
limit switch has a operator 52 which rides within the V-shaped member 46. As the shaft 21 i6 rotated, the legs of the Y-shaped member 46 will move in an arcuate path to actua~e ~witch lever 52. The switch 50 is operatively connected to an indica~or which may be remotely located such as on a panel in a central control room. The V-shaped member also serves to give an immediate visu~l ind~cation oF the position o~ ~he valve rotor.
While the present invention ha~ been described as being operated by an air cylinder motor, it should be understood that 1164L/s1-3 -8 he valve can be operated by an electric motor, by hand or by any other suitable mean~ ~nown in the art.
The design of the present invention i8 al~o suitable for use in supplying material eO a silo and at the same time venting that silo. Referring to Fig. 7, the ~econd opening 12 becomes the inlet for the valve and the first opening 11 becomes an out-let for the valve. The opening 13 continues to serve as a di-version outlet. With the valve member 20 positioned ~o that the plate 25 is in the po6ition 6hown in Fig. 5, material will ~low from what i8 now inlet 12 straighl: through the valve to what i~
now outlet 11. When the valve member 20 i6 rotated so that di-verter plate 25 i6 in the po6ition shown in Fig. 7, material being conveyed will strike the diverter plate 25 and be diverted 90 into the outlet 13 and the silo or u6e point flow connected thereto. However, in this po~ition, the plate 25 does not com-pletely seal the outlet 11 as there is a ~pace 60 between the walls 61 of the outlet 13 and the valve body 10. This ~pace serves as a vent for the outlet 13 and it~ a6sociated conduit or delivery point while material being conveyed and the conveying gas is diverted into the outlet 13 and the storage point or conveying line, the opening 60 serves to allow venting of tha~
storage point or conveying line through outlet 11.
If the valve i6 to be utilized as 6hown in Fig. 7, a mechanism for rotating the rotor 20 different from that shown in Fig~. 1 to 3 would be required in that a 6ingle air cylinder could not be used to rotate the valve between positions show~ in Figs. 5 and 6 and the position6 shown in Fig~. 5 and 7. It should be noted~ however, the valve body and rotor are the same in design and if manual or rever~ible electric motor rotation of rotor 20 i6 contemplated, a 6ingle valve can be rotated to all three po6itions.
Thus, with the p.esent invention, the rotor 20 is rotatable in one direction between a first position (Fig. S) which permi~6 1164L/sl-3 -9-a7 luid and ~u~pended particulate material to flow from the first opening 11 to the econd opening L2 while the cro6~ member 25 seals the third opening 13 and a 6econd position (Fig. 6~ which permits fluid and 6uspended particulate material to flow from said first openiny 11 to said third opening 13 while the cro66 member 25 seals the second opening 12. The valva roter 20 could be rotated in the other direction between a first position (Fig.
S) which permits fluid and suspended particulate material to flow from ~he second opening 12 to the first opening 11 while sealing the third opening 13 and a second po6ition (Fig. 7) which permits fluid and suspended particulate material to flow from the ~econd opening 12 to the third opening 13 while venting fluid from the third opening 13 though pas6age 60 to the fir~t opening 11.
The diverter valve of the present invention has been de-scribed and illustrated herein in a position for diverting the flow of material from a generally horizontal conveying conduit downwardly into a silo or use point. The valve is also applic-able to other orientations and oeher u6es in pneumatic conveying 6ystems such as to divert material flow from one conveying line to another. For example, as shown in Fig. 8, the valve could be positioned so that the straigh~ through flow path 100 were hori-zontal and the diverted flow path 101 were also horizontal bu~
at an angle of 90 to the straight through flow path as illus-trated in Fig. 8B, or the diverted outlet could be vertical in an upward direction as illustra~ed in Fig. 8A or at some angle between vertical upward and vertical downward a6 illustrated in Fig. 8C. In addition, the valve could be oriented ~o that the straight through flow path i6 vertical and the diverted outlet 30 i8 correspondingly adju6ted as illustrated in Fig. 9. For example, the straight flow path 100 could be vertical and the diverted path lOL could be horizontal ~o the right as in Fig. 9A
or in or out of the paper as ~hown in Fig. 9B. In addition, both 1164L/sl-3 -10-'7 low paths 100 and 101 could be at an angle as in Fig. 9C but at an angle to ea~h other. Thu8, it 6hould be clear that the orientation of the valve i6 not critical to the pre6ent inven-tion and all orientations are contemplated hereby.
I~ should also be noted that the de6ign of the rotor 20 i8 ~uch that it could be used where tha diverted outlet is at an angle other than 90 such a~ at 45 or 60. While the inven-tion i8 primarily intended for u~e as a 90 diverter valve, i~
is also within the present invention to use the rotor illu8 trated where the diverted outlet 13 is at an angle other that 9oo .
From the foregoing it can be seen that the objects of the present invention have been carried ou~. A valve ha~ been pro-vided which i5 capable of allowing material to flow straight through the valve or diverting the material at an angle to the s~raight through flow pa~h. The valve has been de~igned to sub-stantially eliminate shoulders and projection6 in the material flow path to thereby reduce the likelihood of material build up, valve wear and product degradation. By using a 90 diverter valve according to the present invention, part~ neces6ary to achieve a de~ired 90 turn in material flow can be eliminated.
The valve is de~igned 80 that in the position of Fig. 5, material flow to the diverted outlet is substantially prevented while in the po6ition of Fig. 6 material flow to the through outlet 12 is 6ubstantially prevented.
It i6 intended that the foregoing be a de6cription of a pre-ferred e~bodiment and that the invention be limited solely by that which i8 within the 6cope of the appended clai~s.
1164L/sl-3
Claims (4)
1. A valve for use in conjunction with a pneumatic conveying system for pulverulent material comprising a valve body, an inlet, first and second outlets and a diverter means mounted within said valve body for directing the flow of pulverulent material from said inlet to either said first outlet or said second outlet; said inlet and said first and second outlets being positioned and said diverter means being mounted within said valve body and dimensioned so that in a first position the inlet is flow connected to the first outlet and the second outlet is substantially sealed and in a second position the diverter means defines with said valve body a space between the second outlet and the valve body and the diverter means directs pulverulent material into said second outlet and vents said second outlet to said first outlet through said space.
2. A valve according to Claim 1 wherein said inlet and said first outlet are parallel and aligned and said second outlet is perpendicular to said inlet and first outlet.
3. A valve according to Claim 2 wherein said diverter means substantially conforms in shape to the inlet and the first outlet.
4. A valve according to Claim 2 wherein said second outlet extends vertically downwardly.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US57524984A | 1984-01-30 | 1984-01-30 | |
| US06/575,249 | 1984-01-30 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1259247A true CA1259247A (en) | 1989-09-12 |
Family
ID=24299524
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000471695A Expired CA1259247A (en) | 1984-01-30 | 1985-01-08 | Diverter valve |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU569768B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1259247A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3502818A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2153492B (en) |
| MX (1) | MX162848B (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA85156B (en) |
Families Citing this family (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE8816409U1 (en) * | 1988-04-19 | 1989-08-10 | Waeschle Maschinenfabrik Gmbh, 7980 Ravensburg | Two-way switch for bulk material |
| DE3911424A1 (en) * | 1988-04-19 | 1989-11-02 | Waeschle Maschf Gmbh | Two-way switch for bulk material |
| DE3915125A1 (en) * | 1989-05-09 | 1990-11-22 | Avt Anlagen Verfahrenstech | Rotary two-way slide valve - has cylindrical, pivot mounted stop cock with three connecting pipes and continuous seal |
| DE19927368A1 (en) * | 1999-06-16 | 2000-12-21 | Merten Kg Pulsotronic | Device for removing metal parts |
| DE102004060403A1 (en) * | 2004-12-14 | 2006-07-06 | Trützschler GmbH & Co KG | Device in the spinning preparation for feeding a plurality of filling shafts, in particular mixers, with fiber material |
| GB201906182D0 (en) * | 2019-05-02 | 2019-06-19 | Renishaw Plc | Additive manufacturing |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB777956A (en) * | 1954-05-25 | 1957-07-03 | Napier & Son Ltd | Improvements in or relating to fluid valves |
| DE1546611A1 (en) * | 1964-02-26 | 1970-05-14 | Koppers Gmbh Heinrich | Regenerative coke oven battery |
| GB1269985A (en) * | 1969-03-31 | 1972-04-12 | K B Engineering Co | Valve apparatus |
| DE2906979A1 (en) * | 1979-02-22 | 1980-09-04 | Ludwig Mindl | Changeover point for bulk goods handling - has one inlet and at least two outlets and includes slider either opening or closing one outlet |
-
1985
- 1985-01-07 ZA ZA85156A patent/ZA85156B/en unknown
- 1985-01-08 CA CA000471695A patent/CA1259247A/en not_active Expired
- 1985-01-09 AU AU37546/85A patent/AU569768B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1985-01-16 MX MX204058A patent/MX162848B/en unknown
- 1985-01-28 GB GB08502051A patent/GB2153492B/en not_active Expired
- 1985-01-29 DE DE19853502818 patent/DE3502818A1/en active Granted
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2153492A (en) | 1985-08-21 |
| DE3502818A1 (en) | 1985-08-08 |
| MX162848B (en) | 1991-06-28 |
| AU569768B2 (en) | 1988-02-18 |
| DE3502818C2 (en) | 1987-04-16 |
| GB2153492B (en) | 1986-08-20 |
| AU3754685A (en) | 1985-08-08 |
| GB8502051D0 (en) | 1985-02-27 |
| ZA85156B (en) | 1985-08-28 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US5593131A (en) | Variable orifice plate for coal pipes | |
| CN101360839B (en) | Charging device for a shaft furnace | |
| US5746258A (en) | Apparatus for filling a container with free-flowing bulk material | |
| US4111492A (en) | Pneumatic conveying apparatus and method | |
| CA1259247A (en) | Diverter valve | |
| CN100526176C (en) | Device for dividing a stream of particulate or pulverulent material into substreams | |
| AU701961B2 (en) | Process for conveying fine-grained solid | |
| CA1162962A (en) | Installation for transporting fine-grained material | |
| US4536104A (en) | Pipe divider for pipes conveying solids | |
| US4599015A (en) | Device for dosing loose material | |
| CA1037521A (en) | Distributor | |
| US3224812A (en) | Conveying system and valve construction therefor | |
| US5595482A (en) | Airlocking system and method for feeding bulk granular material | |
| EP0133762B1 (en) | Gate for splitting a flow of granular material | |
| CA1239961A (en) | Switching valve and a pneumatic transportation system for powdered or granular material with such a switching valve for selection of different transport paths | |
| EP0705214B1 (en) | Pneumatic conveying systems | |
| CN1201987C (en) | Device for passing heaving flowing bulk material into delivery pipe | |
| US4934604A (en) | Controllable outlet nozzle for pneumatic dosaging conveyors | |
| US6206247B1 (en) | Rotary valve for particulate materials | |
| CA1070117A (en) | Proportioning valve | |
| JPH0213518A (en) | Two-path changeover device for bulk cargo | |
| CN110171713A (en) | A kind of air-transport system with automatic block clearing valve | |
| US482424A (en) | Fuel-feeder | |
| SU1313902A1 (en) | Apparatus for filling feed bins of textile machines operating in parallel | |
| US650670A (en) | Relief-valve for suction or blast pipes. |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 20060912 |