EP0671578B1 - Control valve for a train of pipes - Google Patents

Abstract

The valve, primarily for the control of heating media, is constructed as a ball valve. The plug (5) rotates around an axis (15) at right angles to the flow through the valve (1). Just upstream and downstream of the plug there are tappings (17,18) into the flow channel, which can be connected to an instrument, to measure the differential pressure ( DELTA p) across the plug. This measurement may be used, indirectly, to define the flow through the valve.

Description

The present invention relates to a line regulating valve for building heating systems according to the preamble of claim 1.

The building heating systems usually consist of one Central collecting line to which a plurality of strands, which leads the heating fluid to the individual radiators, are connected. Each strand in turn feeds one Majority of radiators, the number between very few Units up to several dozen such bodies can vary. Furthermore, depending on the building design the number of radiators from each branch and thus the thermal output to be supplied by each strand are quite wide.

Accordingly, the need imposes itself on one System for the most precise regulation of the liquid flow, generally in the form of hot water, with which each line of investment is fed to dispose of, so every strand to be able to grant ideal operating conditions. This ideal operating conditions, which, incidentally, every heating specialist are known and not the subject of the present Invention are, for the sake of simplicity, as such determines the best kind of heating requirements of the individual building sectors and last but not least of the individual rooms, plus the best conditions with regard to the thermal output of the system.

It is from the state of the art, as well as from the literature, a solution to the above problem where known a valve is attached to the foot of each strand, which a performs a number of functions such as: Presetting the Flow, measurement of liquid flow, shut-off the liquid supply to the strand, filling of the strand - by Valve opening - emptying of the line.

Of these functions, the most interesting are those in the first mentioned two points, that is, the default and the Flow measurement, which means the fact that the line regulating valve shown here allows. the amount of liquid flowing through after previous measurement adjust the same.

a) Vom Herstellungsgesichtspunkt aus weist die Anfertigung solcher Ventile mit schiefem Sitz vor allem bemerkenswerte Schwierigkeiten bei der Warmpressung wegen der komplizierten Form des Körpers auf. Ferner fordert die Bearbeitung solcher Körper den Einsatz von besonderen Werkzeugmaschinen, die zylindrische, unter sich in verschiedenen Winkeln angeordnete Teile zu bearbeiten vermögen, da der Durchgangskanal des Ventils im Vergleich zum Ventilsitz schräg angeordnet ist.

b) Vom Einsatzgesichtspunkt aus besteht der Nachteil, dass das Regulierungsrad des Ventils und die Verschlusswelle bemerkenswert aus der Ventilachse herausstehen, was nicht unbedeutende Umfangs- und Montageprobleme hervorrufen kann.

Among the many examples of such, all similar realizations, we present here as a representation of that of the company Kreuzstromwerk GmbH, Sedanstr. 5, D-5800 Hagen, which, under the name “regulating valve for strands”, type DN 10-65, is a valve with an oblique seat that realizes the required conditions of the preamble of the present invention. The valve mentioned above, similarly also to the rod regulating valve of DE-U-8909284, but which has a straight seat, consists of a stamped metal body with an inlet connection for the supply liquid, an outlet connection for the measured and metered supply of the liquid of the line and one of one Disc with a crooked seat, which closes the passage seat between the inlet and outlet connection completely or more or less partially. The valve then has a connection attached upwards of the valve seat and a connection attached downwards, by means of which it is possible to determine the pressure difference .DELTA.p of the liquid flowing through by fitting a suitable pressure meter. By means of a calibration diagram of the valve provided for this purpose, the pressure difference .DELTA.p can be used to go back to the flow rate of the valve, which makes it possible to regulate the flow rate of the valve itself. Carrying out these operations on the individual lines and following the optimization criteria provided for them, you can finally balance and regulate the liquid flow in all lines so that the amount of liquid in the building is distributed according to the required heating requirements. However, the straight or crooked seat valves that are state of the art today have two major disadvantages:

a) From the manufacturing point of view, the manufacture of such valves with a crooked seat has remarkable difficulties in hot pressing because of the complicated shape of the body. Furthermore, the processing of such bodies requires the use of special machine tools which are able to machine cylindrical parts arranged at different angles, since the through-channel of the valve is arranged obliquely compared to the valve seat.

b) From the point of view of use, there is the disadvantage that the regulating wheel of the valve and the closing shaft protrude remarkably from the valve axis, which can cause not inconsiderable circumferential and assembly problems.

These disadvantages, which are not so much related to the functioning of the Valve in the system, but more with the Manufacturing and assembly problems settle ultimately into not insignificant additional costs, which make the entire heating system more expensive.

From DE-U-8909284 is a balancing valve known in which both upstream and downstream of the closure body openings in the Valve housing are provided, which with the Connect the liquid passage in the valve. On Both openings of this valve can be used for a device Determination of the pressure difference in the liquid flow and indirectly connected to the flow rate.

The purpose of the invention is now the known Ball lock valves using the above Teaching of DE-U-8909284 regarding the two openings further improve by the behavior of the ball valve is made approximately linear.

This means that the ratio between the angle of rotation of the Closure, or the channel axis, and the Valve flow rate should be made essentially linear, which for the Regulation has great advantages.

This is achieved through a Valve with the characteristics according to claim 1. Advantageous Further training is in the dependent claims specified. Although not the first time is that the state of the art valves with ball closure shows that show narrowing in the strand section (man for example refers to the already mentioned CH-A-674405, in which the bottleneck is only on the exit side of the Ball lock is present, or EP-A-0300403, in which, however, the bottlenecks in the ball lock continuous channel are available), you can safely confirm that the use of such precautions in one Ball valve valve as a regulating valve new and is advantageous since the calibration of the valve and the application of the corresponding diagrams is simplified.

According to claim 7, which provides that the connection holes to determine the pressure difference Δp, in In accordance with the bottlenecks, the Advantage of a greater measuring accuracy of the Δp thanks to the higher speed at the bottlenecks achieved.

Claims 8 and 9 relate to one with a better one Thermal insulation related to the inventive valve standing improvement. Again, the precaution is that Line regulating valve through a housing or to isolate a clam shell made of insulating material, for example made of pre-pressed polyurethane, in practice per se known and successful: however, it is new in combination with a balancing valve with ball lock.

The invention will now be illustrated with the help of some Realization examples described in more detail.

Fig. 1

Das erfinderische Ventil im Schnitt längs einer Ebene, welche die Achse des Durchgangskanals A-A und die Umdrehungsachse des Kugelverschlusses B-B enthält.

Fig. 2

Eine Grundrissansicht des Ventils der Fig. 1, wie es von aussen aussieht.

Fig. 3

Das Ventil der Fig. 1 in Aufsicht wie in Fig. 2 und mit der Schneckantriebswelle im Schnitt nach Linie C-C der Fig. 1

Fig. 4

Das Ventil im Aufriss nach Richtung des Pfeils D der Fig. 1 gesehen.

The figures show:

Fig. 1

The inventive valve in section along a plane which contains the axis of the through channel AA and the axis of rotation of the ball closure BB.

Fig. 2

A plan view of the valve of FIG. 1 as it looks from the outside.

Fig. 3

1 in top view as in FIG. 2 and with the worm drive shaft in section along line CC of FIG. 1st

Fig. 4

The valve seen in elevation in the direction of arrow D of FIG. 1.

It should be noted in particular that in all figures the same elements with the same reference numbers become. Furthermore, the heat protection housing is only briefly through Dashed lines have been given to read the not unnecessarily complicate the drawings themselves. Just Fig. 2 shows the inventive valve as it from appears on the outside when it is enclosed in the housing.

In Fig. 1, 2 denotes the valve body, made of a suitable, hot-pressed metal, for example brass, and consisting of a first, cylindrical, internally threaded part, which one of the two connections required for valve 1 forms, for example the inflow connection 3, if one assumes that the heating fluid is usually hot water The valve channel flows from right to left.

The ball lock is located in the middle part 4 of the body 2 5 of the valve, consisting of a hollow metal ball, which on two symmetrical sides, with two openings 6 and 7 is provided which allow the liquid to flow through them when valve 1 is in the open position, as shown in FIG. 1.

On the other side of the body 2, that is, that 1 on the left in FIG. 1 carries a thread 8 screwed sleeve 9, which is also internally threaded is provided and the second connection of the valve 1 forms, that is, the drain connection 10.

The ball closure 5 is opposite the inflow 3 and Drain connections 10 by two elastically deformable Seals, for example made of rubber, 11 and 12 kept tight, which against the spherical body of the closure 5 are pressed by the thread-cut sleeve 9 screwed into the body 2 of the valve 1 until it locks becomes. There is also a sealing piece for greater safety 13 provided, consisting of one in the circular Groove that is between the sleeve 9 and the body 2 of valve 1 is located, inserted rubber ring.

The body 2 then has in its central part, in FIG. 1 seen above, a cylindrical extension 14 on, arranged so that its axis B-B perpendicular to Axis A-A of ports 3 and 10 of valve 1 is and so that there is this axis in the center of the ball lock 5 cuts. In the extension 14 is in the Did the axis of rotation 15 of the ball lock 5 supported.

The latter is made like a cone that is in its Middle part with axial and radial, tight, not shown Guide elements is provided, and is on the two outer ends equipped with two short pins, the one lower one in square cross section, that in the upper part of the body of the ball lock 5 occurs while the other, that of the upper end, with a worm gear 16, which we describe better below become wedged. The pivoting of approximately 90 ° The axis of rotation 15 causes the ball lock 5 to rotate and consequently the complete closing of the valve.

Numbers 17 and 18 are two holes, one upwards 17 and the other down 18 of the ball closure 5 in Arranged sense of the liquid passage, displayed.

Holes 17 and 18 connect the liquid passage 19, consisting of the chambers of the inflow connection 3, the ball lock 5 and the backflow connection 10, with the outside.

The outflow hole 17 then passes directly through the wall of the Inflow port 3, while the set up Hole 18, the one in the zone where the thread cut Bush 9 on the valve body 2 to form the drain connection 10 is screwed on, is present and itself therefore overlaid, first the tapped bush 9 traverses to in between the can itself and the valve body 2 existing annular chamber 20 to end.

The valve body 2 then has, preferably on the same Level where hole 17 is located, a through hole towards the outside. The through hole 18 is accordingly not, like that 17, from a simple opening, but from two holes and a ring chamber 20. Thanks to this It is possible to take precaution also the inside of the drain connection 10, consisting of one in the valve body 2 screwed sleeve 9 and thus in any way positioned with respect to the body 2 itself with the valve body 2 fixed connection piece connect to. The function of these holes is to in order to use a device provided for this purpose by means of the degree of opening the ball closure 5 caused pressure difference To determine Δp in the liquid flow, thus thanks to a dedicated chart that shows the ratio between the pressure difference Δp and the flow rate indicates the fluid flow rate of the valve 1 to conclude. This type of measurement and calibration Regulating valve is exactly the same as that in the case of the flow control valve described above with a crooked one Seat is executed, so here further explanations are superfluous. The hole 18 can of course also for other purposes are used, such as to the emptying of the strand and its filling according to the previous one To allow valve 1 to close. This too Functions are known in the prior art and it Therefore, further explanations are not worthwhile.

The operation of the valve 1 can now be done manually by means of a on the axis of rotation 15 instead of the transmission described attached lever. However, this mode is not ideal as there is not enough fine adjustment of the Valve opening allowed. For this reason, after a preferred embodiment provided that the ball lock 5 of the valve by means of a rotating mechanism, which is able to change the angular position of the ball lock 5 of the valve 1 with an accuracy of less than ± 30 'to operate.

This accuracy is important, if it is to be sufficient exact adjustment of the valve flow rate on the To provide the basis of the above diagram, as well, a satisfactory repeatability of the settings to achieve.

According to a preferred form of the turning mechanism of the valve 1, this consists of a worm gear, and more precisely, a gear 16 wedged on the axis of rotation 15, as well as the one in contact with this gear 16 Worm 21. The details of this worm gear transmission are very well visible in Figures 3 and 4, whereupon one refers here and in which a few more Manufacturing details of the mechanism are presented, which is explained below. The reduction ratio of the worm gear transmission mentioned is inventive greater than 1: 20 to have a sufficiently fine setting option of the valve. This means that the screw 21 must make at least 20 revolutions, (in the figure 24 revolutions since the ratio 1:24 is) so that the axis of rotation 15 makes one revolution.

In practice, however, it is not necessary that the axis 15 completed a full turn because a 1/4 turn (90 °) as already mentioned is enough to close the ball 5 from its fully open position, shown in Figure 1, to bring on those completely closed.

It is then inventively provided that the angular position attached to the axis of rotation 15 of the ball lock 5 Gear 16 with a code number 22 as the basic setting is referred to, that is, approximate setting, during that the angular position of the screw 21 with a code number 23 is referred to as fine adjustment.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the axis of the worm 21 has a wheel 24 for hand rotation on.

Figures 1 and 2 show a practical embodiment the double specification of the valve setting 1 with a approximate and a fine attitude: it is however clear that this embodiment that we are now describing just one of the many similar practical options is understood and not in a restrictive sense should be, but as a pure example.

This manufacture therefore provides that the transmission 16 be firmly connected to a segment 25 (in Fig. 1 in Section visible and in Fig. 2 in plan), which extends to approximately 100 °. Are on the segment Engraved symbols, for example numbers from 0-6, the cover a segmental arc of 90 °. Every code number or Number, corresponds to an exact angular position of the valve closure: for example the zero corresponds to the closed one Valve position and at 6 that of the fully open Valve (as in Fig. 1). The position of the numbers will in accordance with one in the body of the case cover, or heat insulation 27, attached window 26 (Fig.2) denotes, which the whole valve 1 in a kind and for a purpose as we will indicate below encloses. So the window 26 gives to those on the Segment 25 engraved numbers access and, through a Pointer 28, the corresponding number can range from 0 to 6 in Agreement with the window 26 to be centered exactly.

This code number 22 corresponds to the approximate degree of adjustment the valve position 1. In fact it allows by its direct coupling with the ball lock 5 and because that Segment 25 is only divided into a few numbers, not more than a relatively inaccurate optical setting too to reach.

The worm 21 then preferably carries, as already said a wheel 24; at each of its full rotation segment 25 performs a rotation of 15 ° (360 °: 24 = 15 °).

The wheel 24 then bears the second number mentioned as a fine adjustment level 23: in the specific case this code number consists of a fixed with the wheel 24 connected ring 29 on which, in the example of the figure, along the entire circular line and following the mark letters at a constant distance, engraved from A to L. are. The ring 29 is therefore divided into 10 divisions, which in accordance with a window 30 with which the housing 27 is also shown. Also in this case a pointer 31 permits the letters A-L center exactly and the screw axis 21 with a large one Set the angular precision. Every division of the ring In the specific case shown, 29 therefore corresponds to one Rotation of the ball lock 5 of 15 °: 10 = 1.5 °. Since that Wheel 24 easily in at least four intermediate positions two consecutive letters can be seen from the accuracy of the angle setting the ball lock 5 lower than 1.5 °: 4, that is, is approximately ± 11 ', an accuracy, which is more than enough to meet those listed as necessary To grant regulatory properties of valve 1.

According to another preferred form of the invention, the Rotation mechanism of the axis 15 of the ball lock 5 with an adjustable stop device 32 (Fig. 3), through which the maximum flow rate setting from the outside of the valve 1 can be set. In in fact, the flow rate may be useful of the regulating valve 1 to a certain nominal amount of liquid adjust and then this setting so that, for example, if you have the valve must close in the manner mentioned and the strand emptied is by passing the liquid through the outflow hole 18 flows out, at the moment of the subsequent filling the position of the valve again finds and thus is avoided, the flow rate again to regulate the valve.

Such a stop device 32 is in the details 3: it mainly consists of one adjustable stop, from one on the screw axis screwed on circlip 33. The outside is the Circlip provided with teeth 34 sliding in grooves 35, one of which is provided with supporting bushes, the one on the right 36 is where the axis rotates. So if the snail is rotated, the ring unscrews itself can rotate, because it is held by the teeth 34 on the axis by moving axially to the right, when the screw rotation goes to the valve opening (and thus from the closed position to Fig. 1 shown open).

The displacement of the ring 33 over a certain limit out and thus the further screw rotation 21 with the resulting blockage of the valve, is made using an externally thread-cut sleeve 37 achieved and in the thread 38 'by internal hexagon clearing, with which the inner cylindrical part, which the Grooves 35 having bushing 36 is provided, screwed becomes. The sleeve 37 more or less deep inside screwing the can holder 36 shifts thus the locking stop against which the circlip 33 strikes when it is shifted to the right: it is enough thus the stroke of the locking ring 33 through a sleeve 37 to block, so that the maximum opening position of the ball valve 5 remains blocked.

Figure 4 shows another useful detail of the inventive Device which provides that the wheel 24 through a tidy connection to the screw axis 21 is attached so that the wheel 24, at the moment of calibration the valve is in such a position that its index numbers 23 correspond exactly to the diagram information mentioned for the relationship between Δp and the valve flow rate correspond. The valves can do so one by one during assembly based on a diagram that is valid for all valves of the same size will: the small, inevitable differences between one valve and the other through minimal manufacturing tolerances caused by the attachment of the wheel indicator 24 in the exact point according to the diagram be balanced.

According to the invention and using an already known basic principle in ball valves (see for example CH-A-674405), however never applied in the line regulating valves the liquid passage 19 through the valve 1, consisting of the channel part in the inflow connection 3, the Channel part in the backflow connection 10 and out of the passage through the ball lock 5, a bottleneck before and after the ball lock 5 on what in Fig. 1 with the Key figures 38 and 39 is designated. The bottlenecks 38 and 39 are at the end of the inflow port 3, or at the beginning of the reflux connection 10, in the sense of fluid flow through the valve 1.

This measure allows the proportionality between the liquid flow rate of the valve 1 and the Angle of rotation and opening of the ball lock 5 to improve. In fact, it has been noticed that when the through-channel 19 a constant everywhere Cross-section, and especially before and after the ball lock 5, the flow rate of such a valve manufactured as a function of the opening angle of the closure curved line follows, thereby calibrating the valve even more difficult. Therefore, you can reach by a suitable narrowing of the channel cross section before and after the ball lock 5 that the above curve is straight remains, that is, you achieve proportional behavior of the valve. The degree of narrowing of the channel 19 and the shape of the bottlenecks 38, 39 are preferably through test samples certainly.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the connection holes 17, 18 coincide with the bottlenecks 38.39. In the Fig. 1 shows how those holes 17, 18 in the narrowest Points of the bottlenecks 38 and 39 open into channel 19.

This solution has the advantage that the pressure difference Δp, as described above, in two points where the speed of the liquid flow is greatest can be what translates into a more powerful difference signal translated and therefore into a more precise measurement. From that gains the control accuracy of valve 1.

As already mentioned in the course of the description was and according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the entire valve 1 is then in a heat-insulating Housing 27 included, which consists of at least consists of two separate parts in a central plane and is arranged so that the assembly of the housing 27 on that already on its input and output lines assembled valve 1 is possible (not in the figures shown, but to the inflow and outflow 3 closures 10 connected). The housing is shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 by two dashed lines covering the whole valve Circle 1, specified. The distance between the two Lines indicates that the housing is made of a well-insulating material Material is made. The housing 27 as well described, leaves an opening for the operating wheel 24 free as well as the appropriate openings for the connections the liquid inflow and outflow tubes (not shown).

The housing 27 serves the purpose of regulating the balancing valve, fed with hot water, to isolate heat loss to prevent. What is essential is the fact that Valve consists of at least two parts (shells), so that it is assembled with valve 1 already installed and can be dismantled (opened) so that the intended Measurements can be carried out, that is, with it the tubes that are suitable for the need provided connections 40, 41 attached to the holes 17, 18 can be.

The insulating housing 27 is preferably made of polyurethane foam material with the advantage of shells from any To achieve form and at a reasonable price.

It should be mentioned here that the connections 40 and 41 as screw connections for fastening flexible tubes can be made and / or yourself include a stopcock for the water outlet can.

The advantages of the balancing valve according to the invention are those, already mentioned, of manufacturing simplicity and thus the low cost and low lateral Space requirement, as well as the great setting accuracy, which can be fixed in any position and which with the greatest accuracy thanks to the Subdivision of the opening angle of the valve with one very fine gradation is repeatable. All of this simplifies the matching operation of the different strands in one Heating system.

Claims (9)

1. Control valve for a train of pipes for a heating installation, comprising a valve housing (2, 9), an inflow connection (3) for the liquid infeed, a flow-off connection (10) for measured and metered liquid infeed to the train and comprising a closure (5), the position of which, which can be controlled from the outside, determines the amount flowing through the valve, characterised in that the valve closure is a ball closure (5) which rotates substantially vertically about an axis (15) with respect to the straight direction of the liquid passage (19) through the valve (1); and in that downstream and upstream of the ball closure (5) in the valve housing connection holes (17, 18) to the liquid passage (19) are provided in the valve, through the connection of which to a device provided for this the pressure difference (Δp) in the liquid flow and, indirectly, the amount flowing through the valve (1) is determined; and in that the liquid passage (19) through the valve (1), consisting of the passage part in the inflow connection (3), of the passage part in the flow-off connection (10) and of the passage through the ball closure (5), has narrowings (38, 39) ahead of and after the ball closure (5), that is, in the passage part of the inflow connection (3) or in the passage part of the flow-off connection (10) respectively, so that a substantially linear relationship between the amount flowing through the valve and the rotational angle of the ball closure (5) is achieved.
2. Valve in accordance with claim 1,
   characterised in that the ball closure (5) is operated by a rotational mechanism capable of determining the angular position of the valve ball closure (5) with an error precision of less than ± 30°.
3. Valve in accordance with claim 2,
   characterised in that the rotational mechanism consists of a worm gear transmission (16, 21) with a transmission ratio greater than 1 : 20; and in that the angular position of the transmission (16), which is mounted on the axis of the ball closure (5), is designated as a basis regulation by a reference number (22), whereas the angular position of the worm (21) is designated by a reference number (23) as a fine adjustment.
4. Valve in accordance with claim 3,
   characterised in that the worm axle (21) has a wheel (24) for hand operation.
5. Valve in accordance with claim 2,
   characterised in that the rotational mechanism is provided with a regulatable abutment device (32) for determining from the outside the position of the maximum amount flowing through the valve.
6. Valve in accordance with claim 3 and claim 5,
   characterised in that the abutment device consists of a socket-like, regulatable blocking abutment (37) against which a securing ring (33), which displaces axially on the worm (21), comes to abutment, since it is screwed onto it, but can not rotate when the worm (21) rotates in the valve opening sense.
7. Valve in accordance with claim 1,
   characterised in that the connection holes (17, 18) are provided in correspondence with the narrowings (38, 39).
8. Valve in accordance with claim 1,
   characterised in that the entire valve (1) is enclosed in a heat-insulating housing (27) consisting of at least two separate parts in a middle plane, so that the mounting on the valve, which is mounted on its line, is enabled, with furthermore the housing (27) leaving free an opening for the operation wheel (24) and the appropriate openings for the pipe connections of the liquid inflow and outflow as well as the observation openings for the regulation code numbers (22, 23) of the valve.
9. Valve in accordance with claim 8,
   characterised in that the insulation housing (27) is manufactured of polyurethane, polypropylene or polystyrene foam material.

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