CA2775547A1 - Spring tensioner for an air activated valve - Google Patents

Spring tensioner for an air activated valve Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2775547A1
CA2775547A1 CA 2775547 CA2775547A CA2775547A1 CA 2775547 A1 CA2775547 A1 CA 2775547A1 CA 2775547 CA2775547 CA 2775547 CA 2775547 A CA2775547 A CA 2775547A CA 2775547 A1 CA2775547 A1 CA 2775547A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
spring
tensioner
actuator rod
coil spring
nut
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.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA 2775547
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Melvin Schellenberg
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to CA 2775547 priority Critical patent/CA2775547A1/en
Publication of CA2775547A1 publication Critical patent/CA2775547A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16KVALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K17/00Safety valves; Equalising valves, e.g. pressure relief valves
    • F16K17/02Safety valves; Equalising valves, e.g. pressure relief valves opening on surplus pressure on one side; closing on insufficient pressure on one side
    • F16K17/04Safety valves; Equalising valves, e.g. pressure relief valves opening on surplus pressure on one side; closing on insufficient pressure on one side spring-loaded
    • F16K17/06Safety valves; Equalising valves, e.g. pressure relief valves opening on surplus pressure on one side; closing on insufficient pressure on one side spring-loaded with special arrangements for adjusting the opening pressure
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16FSPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
    • F16F1/00Springs
    • F16F1/02Springs made of steel or other material having low internal friction; Wound, torsion, leaf, cup, ring or the like springs, the material of the spring not being relevant
    • F16F1/04Wound springs
    • F16F1/12Attachments or mountings
    • F16F1/121Attachments or mountings adjustable, e.g. to modify spring characteristics
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16KVALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K15/00Check valves
    • F16K15/02Check valves with guided rigid valve members
    • F16K15/025Check valves with guided rigid valve members the valve being loaded by a spring
    • F16K15/026Check valves with guided rigid valve members the valve being loaded by a spring the valve member being a movable body around which the medium flows when the valve is open
    • F16K15/028Check valves with guided rigid valve members the valve being loaded by a spring the valve member being a movable body around which the medium flows when the valve is open the valve member consisting only of a predominantly disc-shaped flat element
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16KVALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K31/00Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices
    • F16K31/12Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices actuated by fluid
    • F16K31/122Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices actuated by fluid the fluid acting on a piston
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16FSPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
    • F16F2228/00Functional characteristics, e.g. variability, frequency-dependence
    • F16F2228/08Functional characteristics, e.g. variability, frequency-dependence pre-stressed

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Safety Valves (AREA)

Abstract

A spring tensioner includes a coil spring having a first end, a second end and an axial passage that extends between the first end and the second end. A
cylindrical tensioner body is provided having a central actuator rod passage and an exterior surface with helical threads. An actuator rod extends through the actuator rod passage of the tensioner body and along the axial passage of the coil spring. A spring stop is secured to a remote end of the actuator rod engaging the first end of the coil spring. A nut is positioned on the exterior surface of the tensioner body in one of direct or indirect engagement with the second end of the coil spring. Rotation of the nut about the helical threads causes the nut to move along the tensioner body to selectively increase or decrease a compressive force exerted upon the spring.

Description

TITLE
[0001] Spring Tensioner For An Air Activated Valve FIELD
[0002] There is described a spring tensioner for an air actuated valve that is biased into a closed position by a spring. The spring tensioner provides a means of adjusting spring pressure.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Air activated valves are used in many different industries for allowing the flow of fluids into or out of containers. These valves are biased to the closed position and open upon introduction of pressurized air into the valve. During servicing of the valves, holding pins are used to maintain the valve in the open position. This allows a person to service the valves while the valve is not pressurized. There is, however, a danger that the holding pin may sheer.
If the holding pin fails, the biasing spring will exert a force upon the valve causing it to slam shut, resulting in a loss of one or more fingers or other injuries to the person servicing the valve.
SUMMARY
[0004] There is provided a spring tensioner for an air actuated valve having a spring urging a valve member into engagement with a valve seat and an air cylinder configured to selectively overcome the biasing force of the spring. The spring tensioner includes a coil spring having a first end, a second end and an axial passage that extends between the first end and the second end. A cylindrical tensioner body is provided having a central actuator rod passage and an exterior surface with helical threads. An actuator rod extends through the actuator rod passage of the tensioner body and along the axial passage of the coil spring. A
spring stop is secured to a remote end of the actuator rod engaging the first end of the coil spring. A nut is positioned on the exterior surface of the tensioner body in one of direct or indirect engagement with the second end of the coil spring. Rotation of the nut about the helical threads causes the nut to move along the tensioner body to selectively increase or decrease a compressive force exerted upon the spring.
[0005] The ability to selectively increase or decrease the compressive force on the spring allows for the valve to be serviced safely by reducing or eliminating the compressive force that the spring is exerting upon the valve member. This enables the valve member to be easily moved away from the valve seat and eliminates any risk of injury due to a holding pin failure. The ability to adjust spring pressure also is important for operation. A spring tension that is ideal for one installation may be inappropriate for another installation. The ability to adjust to a spring pressure appropriate to the intended application provides a further advantage.
[0006] It is beneficial that the air cylinder be supported on legs above the spring, where the air cylinder can engage the actuator rod to pull the valve member off the valve seat. It is even more beneficial when the air source is supported on three legs. When supported on three legs, the air cylinder has adequate support and the space between the legs provides a greater area through which to inspect and service the valve member as required.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] These and other features will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to be in any way limiting, wherein:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view, partially in section, of an air actuated valve with an adjustable spring pressure setting.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0009] A spring tensioner for an air actuated valve generally identified by reference numeral 10, will now be described with reference to FIG. 1.
Structure and Relationship of Parts:
[0010] Referring to FIG. 1, spring tensioner 10 has a coil spring 12 that urges a valve member 14 into engagement with a valve seat 16 and an air cylinder 18 configured to selectively overcome the biasing force of spring 12. Spring 12 has a first end 13, a second end 15 and an axial passage 17 that extends between first end 13 and second end 15. A
cylindrical tensioner body 20 is provided having a central actuator rod passage 25 and an exterior surface 23 with helical threads 24. An actuator rod 22 extends through actuator rod passage 25 of tensioner body 20 and along axial passage 17 of spring 12. A
first spring stop 19 engages first end 13 of spring 12 and a second spring stop 21 engages second end 15 of spring 12, so that spring 12 is confined between first spring stop 19 and second spring stop 21.
A nut 26 is positioned on tensioner body 20 is in one of direct or indirect engagement with second end 15 of spring 12. In the embodiment shown, indirect engagement of nut 26 to spring 12 is shown with pressure from nut 26 providing indirect pressure through spring stop 19. Rotation of nut 26 about helical threads 24 on tensioner body 20 causes nut 26 to move along tensioner body 20 to selectively increase or decrease a compressive force exerted upon spring 12. Air cylinder 18 is configured to selectively overcome the biasing force of spring 12. It does this by engaging actuator rod 22 to pull valve member 14 off valve seat 16.
Actuator rod 22 moves freely through actuator rod passage 25 of tensioner body 20 when this occurs.
[0011] Air cylinder 18 has an input 28 and an exhaust 30. Air is supplied to input 28 from an air source (not shown) through an input air line 32 and is removed through exhaust 30 through an exhaust line 34. As described above, valve member 14 is urged away from valve seat 16 when spring tensioner 10 becomes pressurized. Spring tensioner 10 is pressurized by the introduction of air into air cylinder 18 through input 28 via input air line 32 and will remain separate from valve seat 16 as long as spring tensioner 10 remains pressurized. Valve member 14 moves back into engagement with valve seat 16 when air is exhausted from air cylinder 18 through exhaust 30 via exhaust line 34. This allows for spring tensioner 10 to be closed quickly if required. Air cylinder 18 is supported above spring tensioner 10 on legs 36.
Any number of legs can be used, however, it is preferred that 3 legs be used, as it permits a larger area of access for servicing of valve member 14 while still providing an adequate support structure.
[0012] When spring tensioner 10 requires servicing, nut 26 on actuator rod 22 is rotated about helical threads 24 on tensioner body 20 to decrease the compressive force on spring 12.
When the compressive force is decreased sufficiently, valve member 14 can be manually lifted away from valve seat 16 to allow for safe inspection and servicing.
Once servicing is complete, nut 26 can be rotated about helical threads 24 to increase the compressive force on spring 12. A preferred amount of clamping force is 1100 psi, however it will be understood that different amounts of clamping force may be used. Spring tensioner 10 may be adjusted to the preferred clamping force of each user.
[0013]
Spring tensioner 10 provides a number of advantages over the prior art. The compressive force of spring 12 can be adjusted. With most competing devices, the compressive force of the spring is predetermined at the factory. As automotive springs are most frequently used, that compressive force was, typically, 1500 to 2000 pounds per square inch (psi). With spring tensioner 10, the clamping force can be reduced to a more appropriate level. A clamping force of 1100 psi is preferred. With most competing devices, air pressure is used to move valve member 14 off valve seat 16, and then valve member is secured in position with a pin which inspection and servicing takes place. It is to be noted that servicing is taking place with spring 12 compressed and all the stored energy being held solely by the pin. Should the pin shear, the valve member 14 will be forced back onto valve seat 16 in a violent manner. With spring tensioner 10, the tension in spring 12 is released and is no longer a threat. Valve member 14 can be manually moved off valve seat 16 for inspection and servicing.
[0014] In this patent document, the word "comprising" is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefmite article "a" does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.
[0015] The following claims are to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, and what can be obviously substituted.
The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

Claims (3)

1. A spring tensioner for an air actuated valve having a spring urging a valve member into engagement with a valve seat and an air cylinder configured to selectively overcome the biasing force of the spring, the spring tensioner, comprising:
a coil spring having a first end, a second end and an axial passage that extends between the first end and the second end;
a cylindrical tensioner body having a central actuator rod passage and an exterior surface with helical threads;
an actuator rod extending through the actuator rod passage of the tensioner body and along the axial passage of the coil spring;
a spring stop secured to a remote end of the actuator rod and engaging the first end of the coil spring;
a nut positioned on the exterior surface of the tensioner body in one of direct or indirect engagement with the second end of the coil spring, rotation of the nut about the helical threads causing the nut to move along the tensioner body to selectively increase or decrease a compressive force exerted upon the coil spring.
2. The spring tensioner of claim 1, wherein the air cylinder is supported on legs above the spring, the air cylinder engaging the actuator rod to pull the valve member off the valve seat.
3. The spring tensioner of claim 2, wherein the air source is supported on three legs.
CA 2775547 2012-04-30 2012-04-30 Spring tensioner for an air activated valve Abandoned CA2775547A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 2775547 CA2775547A1 (en) 2012-04-30 2012-04-30 Spring tensioner for an air activated valve

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 2775547 CA2775547A1 (en) 2012-04-30 2012-04-30 Spring tensioner for an air activated valve

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2775547A1 true CA2775547A1 (en) 2013-10-30

Family

ID=49510689

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA 2775547 Abandoned CA2775547A1 (en) 2012-04-30 2012-04-30 Spring tensioner for an air activated valve

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA2775547A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20150345590A1 (en) * 2014-05-28 2015-12-03 Ideematec Deutschland Gmbh Tensioning Unit

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20150345590A1 (en) * 2014-05-28 2015-12-03 Ideematec Deutschland Gmbh Tensioning Unit
CN105134876A (en) * 2014-05-28 2015-12-09 依德玛科技德国股份有限公司 tension device
AU2015202592B2 (en) * 2014-05-28 2019-03-28 Ideematec Deutschland Gmbh Tensioning unit
US10337586B2 (en) * 2014-05-28 2019-07-02 Ideematic Deutschland Gmbh Tensioning unit
CN105134876B (en) * 2014-05-28 2020-04-24 依德玛科技德国股份有限公司 Tension device

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Effective date: 20180501