DE102021104849A1 - valve node - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a valve cluster (1) with a base body (2) in which a first valve chamber (10), a second valve chamber (20) and a third valve chamber (30) are provided, each valve chamber (10, 20, 30) a central opening (11, 21, 31) and two side openings (12, 13, 22, 23, 32, 33), wherein between the central opening (11, 21, 31) and each of the side openings (12, 13, 22, 23 , 32, 33) in each case a separating web (14, 15, 24, 25, 34, 35) is provided, characterized in that the central opening (11) of the first valve chamber (10) with a first inlet (16) and a first outlet (17), the two side openings (12, 13) of the first valve chamber (10) being connected to the central opening (21, 31) of the second and third valve chambers (20, 30) via a respective connecting channel (18, 19). are, and wherein one of the side openings (22, 32) of the second and the third valve chamber (20, 30) with a second and a third inlet (26, 36) ve are connected and wherein the other of the side openings (23, 33) of the second and the third valve chamber (20, 30) are connected to a second and a third outlet (27, 37).

Description

The invention relates to a valve manifold with a base body in which a first valve chamber, a second valve chamber and a third valve chamber are provided, each valve chamber having a central opening and two side openings, with a separating web being provided between the central opening and each of the side openings.

Such a valve node is, for example, from EP 2 366 922 A2 known.

A valve drive is assigned to each valve chamber, with which a valve element (usually a membrane) can be selectively pressed against the separating webs. An example of such a valve actuator with a membrane can be found in DE10 2014 101 339 .

Various operating states are possible by suitably controlling the valve drive. In a first operating state, the membrane is pressed against both separating webs. In this state, no flow through the corresponding valve chamber is possible. In a second and a third operating state, the membrane is detached from one of the separating webs. In the corresponding operating state, a flow from the corresponding side opening to the central opening (or vice versa) is then possible. In a fourth operating state, the membrane is detached from both separating webs at the same time.

Different liquids can be mixed with the valve manifold, which are supplied to the valve manifold via the different inlets. It is also possible to supply a rinsing and cleaning medium via one of the inlets. By suitably interconnecting several valve nodes in a matrix, very complex mixing processes can be carried out.

The object of the invention is to further develop the known valve node in such a way that additional functionalities can be implemented.

To solve this problem, it is provided according to the invention in a valve manifold of the type mentioned at the outset that the central opening of the first valve chamber is connected to a first inlet and a first outlet, with the two central openings of the first valve chamber each being connected via a connecting channel to the central opening of the second and the third valve chamber, and one of the side ports of the second and third valve chambers being connected to second and third inlets and the other of the side ports of the second and third valve chambers being connected to second and third outlets. The difference from the known valve manifold consists in particular in the fact that there is no central mixing chamber in the valve manifold, but that fluid is mixed by suitably switching the flow connections between the openings of the valve chambers. This results in a hermetic separation between the three media areas. Furthermore, all fluidic paths in the valve manifold and in the adjacent lines can be cleaned selectively via the valve manifold, with contamination of the remaining areas being avoided. While cleaning a vertical line, you can continue to work with the first and the second medium on parallel lines. Overall, this results in a compact design with a high packing density, short dead zones, a minimal internal volume and a streamlined channel layout.

According to one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the first inlet and the first outlet merge into one another in a straight line. This results in a low flow resistance.

The second and/or the third inlet can be designed as a branch channel so that they can be connected to an otherwise continuous media supply line.

Alternatively, it is also possible for the second and/or the third inlet to be looped through the base body. This results in a reduction in dead zone lengths.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a mounting reference surface is provided, with all valve chambers being self-draining towards the corresponding drain when the valve cluster is aligned in accordance with the mounting reference surface. The special advantage here is that no media residues remain in the valve cluster, so that it can be cleaned particularly well.

According to one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that each valve chamber is assigned an interface level for mounting a valve drive, the interface levels being arranged in such a way that a vertical on one interface level forms an angle with a vertical on the adjacent interface level of a maximum of 90° and preferably of a maximum of 50°. At an angle of 90°, the three valve drives thus extend in a semicircle over one side of the valve cluster, leaving a “rear side” free. This allows the valve manifold to be mounted rearwardly against a wall or array of piping while all valve actuators are controlled by one side can be assembled and serviced. If the axes of the valve drives have an angle of, for example, a maximum of 45° relative to one another, all the valve drives are arranged in a quadrant, so that the valve nodes can be arranged close to one another. This results in a compact configuration overall when a large number of valve nodes are interconnected in a matrix. If the second and/or the third inlet are designed as a branch channel, the second and/or the third inlet can be aligned parallel to a perpendicular to the interface level that is assigned to the first valve chamber. In other words, the media are fed from the rear perpendicularly to the front, so that the valve manifolds can be connected to a piping system in a compact manner.

If the second and/or the third inlet are looped through the main body, the second and/or third inlet can have a stub located on an inclined surface arranged at the top and a stub located on an outer surface of the main body, the facing away from the interface level associated with the first valve chamber. This places the stubs associated with the sloping surface located at the top in a position that facilitates welding to a piping system.

The three drains are preferably located on an underside of the base body, so that the media can drain optimally under the effect of gravity.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inlets and outlets each have a socket that is designed in one piece with the base body.

• - 1 in einer perspektivischen Ansicht einen Ventilknoten gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform;
• - 2 den Ventilknoten von 1, wobei zur Verdeutlichung ein Teil des Grundkörpers ausgeschnitten ist;
• - 3 den Ventilknoten von 1, wobei zur Verdeutlichung Teile des Grundkörpers ausgeschnitten sind;
• - 4 schematisch ein Hydraulikschaltbild des erfindungsgemäßen Ventilknotens;
• - die 5-8 verschiedene Betriebsmodi mit dem Schaltbild von 4;
• - 9 in einer perspektivischen Ansicht einen Ventilknoten gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform der Erfindung; und
• - 10 in einer weiteren perspektivischen Ansicht den Ventilknoten von 9.

The invention is described below with reference to various embodiments which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In these show:

• - 1 in a perspective view, a valve node according to a first embodiment;
• - 2 the valve node of 1 , wherein part of the body is cut away for clarity;
• - 3 the valve node of 1 , wherein parts of the base body are cut out for clarity;
• - 4 schematically a hydraulic circuit diagram of the valve node according to the invention;
• - the 5-8 different modes of operation with the circuit diagram of 4 ;
• - 9 in a perspective view, a valve manifold according to a second embodiment of the invention; and
• - 10 in a further perspective view the valve node of FIG 9 .

In the 1-3 a valve manifold 1 according to a first embodiment is shown.

It has a base body 2 in which a first valve chamber 10, a second valve chamber 20 and a third valve chamber 30 are formed.

The base body 2 has the shape of a trapezoidal prism, the surfaces being referred to here as back 3, top 4, underside 5, front 6 and side surfaces 7, 8 for a clearer explanation.

It is assumed below that the back 3 and the underside 5 are at right angles to one another and represent a mounting reference surface, with the back 3 running vertically and the underside 5 horizontally in the mounted state.

Each valve chamber 10, 20, 30 is open to one of the sides of the base body 2 of the valve manifold 1. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the first valve chamber 10 is open on the front side 6 of the base body 2 , the second valve chamber 20 is open on the side surface 7 , and the third valve chamber 30 is open on the side surface 8 .

Each of the valve chambers 10, 20, 30 has a central opening 11, 21, 31 and two side openings 12, 13, 22, 23, 32, 33. A dividing web 14, 24, 34 is provided between each side opening and the central opening.

The outer surface 6, 7, 8 associated with each valve chamber 10, 20, 30 forms an interface plane for attachment of a valve drive which interacts with the corresponding valve chamber 10, 20, 30. Briefly summarized, the valve drive has a membrane that seals on the corresponding front or side surface 6, 7, 8 and, controlled individually by an actuator, is pressed against the separating webs 14, 15, 24, 25, 34, 35 or released from them can.

Using the example of the first valve chamber, no medium can flow between the central opening and the two side openings 12, 13 if the membrane is pressed against the two separating webs 14, 15. If the membrane is lifted off the separating web 14, a flow connection between the central opening 11 and the side opening 12 is released. The flow connection between the central opening 11 and the side opening 13 can be closed in this state. When the membrane is lifted off the separating web 15, a flow connection between the central opening 11 and the side opening 13 is released. In this state, the flow connection between the central opening 11 and the side opening 12 can remain closed.

It is also conceivable that the membrane is detached from the two separating webs 14, 15 at the same time, so that all openings 11, 12, 13 are in flow connection with one another.

The central opening 11 of the first valve chamber 10 is connected to an inlet 16 and an outlet 17 . These are nozzles that protrude vertically from the top 4 and bottom 5 .

The first side port 12 is connected to the center port 21 of the second valve chamber through a connecting passage 18 . The second side port 13 of the first valve chamber is connected to the center port 31 of the third valve chamber through a second connecting passage 19 .

The side opening 22, 32 of the second and the third valve chamber 20, 30 is connected to an inlet 26, 36, which can only be seen for the third valve chamber 30 here. The inlet 26, 36 is in each case designed as a socket which is arranged on the back 3 of the base body 2 and which extends perpendicularly to the back 3.

The other side opening 23,33 of the second and the third valve chamber 20,30 is connected to a second and a third outlet 27,37. Each process 27, 37 is designed as a socket which extends vertically downwards, starting from the underside 5.

The base body 2 with all structural features and also the sockets 16, 17, 26, 27, 36, 37 is made in one piece. In particular, the base body 2 with all the structural features and the sockets is made from a solid block of metal. Alternatively, the base body 2 could also be produced by additive manufacturing methods (“3D printing”).

According to an alternative embodiment, welded-on connectors or other elements can also be used for the fluid supply.

The particular advantage of the inflows and outflows designed as sockets 16, 17, 26, 27, 36, 37 protruding from the outer surfaces of the base body 2 is that the inflows and outflows can be welded to lines of a fluid system. The sockets are arranged in such a way that they are accessible from all sides for an orbital welding process.

A further feature of the valve manifold 1 is that all internal flow channels, openings and valve chambers are designed in such a way that they are self-draining towards the corresponding outlet 17, 27, 37. It is thus possible by suitably controlling the valve drives to empty each flow channel to at least one outlet under the effect of gravity.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the separating webs 14, 15 of the first valve chamber 10 are aligned vertically, while the separating webs 24, 25, 34, 35 of the second and third valve chambers 20, 30 are aligned horizontally. This allows a particularly compact design to be achieved.

In 4 the valve node 1 is shown as a hydraulic circuit diagram, with the switchable flow connection being shown as a switching valve at each separating web.

In the 5-8 Various switching states of the valve cluster 1 are shown, it being assumed here that a cleaning fluid R is supplied via the first inlet 16 to the first valve chamber 10, while a first or second operating medium M1, M2 is supplied. A shut-off valve 40 is also provided here between the supply line for the cleaning fluid R and the inlet 16 .

In the first operating mode, the in 5 is shown, the first outlet 17 is supplied with the first medium M1 or the first medium M2 or a mixture of the first medium and the second medium. For this purpose, the flow cross section is opened at the separating web 14 or at the separating web 15 or both at the separating web 14 and at the separating web 15 .

In 6 a second mode of operation is shown. It is used to clean the area of the separating web 14 and the separating web 15 when changing media. If, for example, the flow path of the medium M1 is to be cleaned, the separating web 14 and the separating web 25 are opened when the valve 40 is open. In order to clean the flow path of the medium M2, the separating web 15 and the separating web 35 are opened.

The medium M1 or the medium M2 can be used simultaneously in further valve nodes arranged in a matrix.

In 7 an operating mode is shown in which the central line between the inlet 16 and the inlet 17 is cleaned when changing media. In this case, the shut-off valve 40 is open. The other dividers remain closed.

Here, too, medium M1 or medium M2 can be used simultaneously in other valve nodes arranged in a matrix.

In 8th a fourth operating mode is shown, which is used to clean the feed line for a separating web and the medium M1 or M2. In this case, the shut-off valve 40 and the separating web 15 as well as the separating web 34 are open. As a result, the cleaning fluid gets into the feed line for the medium M2. The inlet line for the medium M1 can also be cleaned in the same way. The other medium can be used at the same time in other valve nodes arranged in a matrix.

In the 9 and 10 a valve manifold 1 according to a second embodiment is shown. The same reference numerals are used for the components known from the first embodiment, and reference is made to the above explanations.

The difference between the first and the second embodiment relates to the inlets 26 and 36 to the second valve chamber and to the third valve chamber. While in the first embodiment a stub line is used via the sockets 26, 36, the leads are looped through in the second embodiment. Here, the connecting piece 26 or 36 extends into the base body 2, and the feed line M1 or M2 is continued in the form of a return line 29 or 39, respectively.

The sockets 26, 36 are provided here on obliquely arranged surfaces 50, 52 which are arranged on the upper side of the base body. The sockets 29, 39 are arranged on the rear side 3 of the base body 2 and extend perpendicularly to the plane defined by the rear side 3. FIG.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• EP 2366922 A2 [0002]
• DE 102014101339 [0003]

Claims (10)

Valve cluster (1) with a base body (2) in which a first valve chamber (10), a second valve chamber (20) and a third valve chamber (30) are provided, each valve chamber (10, 20, 30) having a central opening (11 , 21, 31) and two side openings (12, 13, 22, 23, 32, 33), wherein between the central opening (11, 21, 31) and each of the side openings (12, 13, 22, 23, 32, 33 ) a separating web (14, 15, 24, 25, 34, 35) is provided in each case, characterized in that the central opening (11) of the first valve chamber (10) is connected to a first inlet (16) and a first outlet (17). are, wherein the two side openings (12, 13) of the first valve chamber (10) are each connected via a connecting channel (18, 19) to the central opening (21, 31) of the second and the third valve chamber (20, 30), and wherein one of the side openings (22, 32) of the second and the third valve chamber (20, 30) are connected to a second and a third inlet (26, 36) and wherein the a Other of the side openings (23, 33) of the second and the third valve chamber (20, 30) are connected to a second and a third drain (27, 37). Valve node (1) after claim 1 , characterized in that the first inlet (16) and the first outlet (17) merge into one another in a straight line. valve node after claim 1 or claim 2 , characterized in that the second and/or the third inlet (26, 36) are designed as a branch channel. valve node after claim 1 or claim 2 , characterized in that the second and/or the third inlet (26, 36) are looped through the base body (2). Valve manifold (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an assembly reference surface (3, 5) is provided and that when the valve manifold (1) is aligned in accordance with the assembly reference surface (3, 5), all valve chambers ( 10, 20, 30) are self-draining towards the corresponding outlet (17, 27, 37). Valve manifold (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each valve chamber (10, 20, 30) is assigned an interface level (6, 7, 8) for mounting a valve drive, the interface levels (6, 7 , 8) are arranged in such a way that a vertical line on an interface level (6, 7, 8) encloses an angle of no more than 90° and preferably no more than 50° with a vertical line on the adjacent interface level (6, 7, 8). °. Valve node (1) after claim 3 in combination with claim 6 , characterized in that the second inlet (26) and/or the third inlet (36) is aligned parallel to a perpendicular to the interface plane (6) associated with the first valve chamber (10). Valve node (1) after claim 4 in combination with claim 6 , characterized in that the second and/or the third inlet (26, 36) have a connecting piece located on an inclined surface (50, 52) arranged at the top, and a connecting piece (29, 39) located on an outer surface (3) of the base body (2) facing away from the interface plane (6) associated with the first valve chamber (10). Valve cluster (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the three outlets (17, 27, 37) are located on an underside (5) of the base body (2). Valve manifold (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inlets (16, 26, 36) and the outlets (17, 27, 37) each have a socket which is made in one piece with the base body (2).

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