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
  • F16K15/00—Check valves
  • F16K15/02—Check valves with guided rigid valve members
  • F16K15/025—Check valves with guided rigid valve members the valve being loaded by a spring
  • F16K15/026—Check 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
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
  • G05D—SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
  • G05D7/00—Control of flow
  • G05D7/01—Control of flow without auxiliary power
  • G05D7/0126—Control of flow without auxiliary power the sensing element being a piston or plunger associated with one or more springs
  • G05D7/0133—Control of flow without auxiliary power the sensing element being a piston or plunger associated with one or more springs within the flow-path
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
  • Y10T137/7722—Line condition change responsive valves
  • Y10T137/7837—Direct response valves [i.e., check valve type]
  • Y10T137/7847—With leak passage
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
  • Y10T137/7722—Line condition change responsive valves
  • Y10T137/7837—Direct response valves [i.e., check valve type]
  • Y10T137/7904—Reciprocating valves
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
  • Y10T137/8593—Systems
  • Y10T137/87265—Dividing into parallel flow paths with recombining
  • Y10T137/87555—Having direct response valve [e.g., check valve, etc.]

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a device for the dynamic control of a water flow, as used to stabilize the operation of a thermostatic mixer.
• the thermostatic mixers which are capable of handling a large flow, do not function regularly when the flow requested by them is much smaller than the maximum flow for which they are designed, as occurs, for example a thermostatic mixer suitable for supplying a single shower to supply a multi-shower system is used. Under these circumstances, the thermostatic mixers lose their stability and vibrate, so that the water flow derived therefrom undergoes constant changes in the ratio of the mixture between cold water and warm water and thus experiences temperature fluctuations that are uncomfortable for the user and can be dangerous. This drawback can be remedied by countering the flow of cold water supplied to the thermostatic mixer when mixing small flows of mixed water, and suppressing or reducing this resistance when large flows of mixed water are to be promoted.
• the main object of the present invention is to provide a device for the dynamic control of a flow, the operation of which must be independent of the inlet pressure in many areas, so that the device must not require adjustments in the performance of its installation and must not function irregularly even if considerable variations in the inlet pressure occur.
• Another object of the present invention is to provide such a dynamic flow control apparatus that is simple in construction and inexpensive, and that provides high reliability and long life.
• Another object of the invention is to provide such a device which can be installed in a stopcock with which the thermostatic mixers are often equipped, so that no additional element must be included in the system.
• a device for dynamic regulation of a flow comprising, in a body, an inlet chamber, a drain chamber, a piston disposed between the inlet chamber and the drain chamber and movable between a first position, which is displaced toward the inlet chamber, wherein the piston in the first position narrows the flow between the ZuIaufhunt and the drain chamber, and a second position, which is shifted to the drain chamber, wherein the piston in the second position, the flow between the Inlet chamber and the drain chamber is not narrowed, and a return spring, which acts on the piston to the first position, characterized in that the inlet chamber is at least partially annular and surrounds the piston, that the piston arranged in the region of the inlet chamber and penetrated by limited radial passages cylindrical skirt portion and a transverse portion defining an intermediate chamber and penetrated by an axial limited passage, and in that the restricted radial passages, the axial limited passage and the return spring are proportioned relative to each other such that the action of the spring substantially
• the piston can not be displaced by the inlet pressure, as this acts mainly or exclusively in the radial direction and this process, however its value is, does not tend to move the piston from its first position in the direction of its second position move.
• the pressure which forms in the intermediate chamber is determined by the pressure drop which the flow undergoes as it passes from the inlet chamber through the restricted axial passages to the intermediate chamber.
• the effect exerted on the piston in the axial direction and in the opposite direction as that of the return spring effect is based essentially on the difference between the pressure prevailing in the intermediate chamber and the pressure prevailing in the discharge chamber, which pressure is less than the first-mentioned pressure due to the pressure drop suffered by the flow when passing through the axial restricted passage existing in the transverse section of the piston; this pressure difference acts on the transverse portion of the piston and tends to overcome the force of the return spring.
• suitable dimensioning with respect to the cross-section of the restricted axial passages provided in the skirt of the piston, the cross-section of the restricted passage provided in the transverse portion of the piston, and the force of the return spring enables the piston to be prevented from its first position in FIG shifts its second position as long as a flow is derived that is less than the maximum flow that can cause instability in a thermostatic mixer.
• the one that controls the displacement of the piston is not the absolute pressure prevailing in the chambers of the device, but the pressure difference between the intermediate chamber and the drain chamber, which depends on the flow and resisting resistances, but not on the Absolute pressure, the functioning of the device is largely independent of the inlet pressure, and in turn the device requires no adaptation in the process of its installation and shows no Irregularity of operation, even if the supply pressure varies considerably.
• the intermediate chamber in the body of the device is delimited by an inlet port in which an inlet chamber is defined and which has axial peripheral passages which open in the at least partially annular inlet chamber surrounding the piston.
• the inlet chamber and the axial circumferential passages may be formed of passages formed in an auxiliary member interposed between the body of the apparatus and the inlet port of which it forms part.
• This additional element may advantageously be made of stamped plastic material.
• the piston In its first closed position, the piston can abut against a flat surface of the inlet connection, or it can partially engage in a seat formed by the surface.
• the limited passage provided in the transverse portion of the piston permanently narrows the flow, its effect can be advantageously modified by providing the inlet port with a projection which slides into and partially closes the restricted passage.
• the cross-section of the limited passage from the projection is reduced when the piston is in its first position, while this limited passage, when the piston shifts to its second position, is no longer closed by the projection and ceases Obstacle to the river.
• the efficiency of the device is considerably increased.
• the thermostatic mixers are provided with a stopcock to facilitate their maintenance, and therefore it is possible to mount in series with the thermostatic mixer a single attachment containing both the stopcock and the dynamic flow control device, rather than two to have to install different accessories.
• a stopcock containing the device according to the invention itself is also part of the invention.
• Fig. 1 shows in axial section a device for the dynamic control of a flow according to a first embodiment of the present invention in the state of rest or a flow with reduced flow.
• FIG. 2 illustrates the same apparatus of FIG. 1 in the high flow condition.
• Fig. 3 analogous to Fig. 1 represents a second embodiment of the device according to the invention.
• Fig. 4 illustrates how the device of FIG. 3 can be installed in a stopcock.
• Fig. 5 analogous to Fig. 1 represents a third embodiment of the invention in the idle state.
• Fig. 6 analogous to Fig. 1 shows a fourth embodiment of the device according to the invention.
• Fig. 7 and 8 analogous to Figs. 1 and 2, a fifth
• Figs. 1 and 2 is shown in axial section a device for the dynamic control of a water flow of the type used to stabilize the operation of a thermostatic mixer, which in this embodiment of the invention comprises a body 1, the top of a Inlet connection 3 is completed and forms a drain port 4.
• the inlet port 3 forms in its interior an inlet chamber 5, and the drain port 4 forms in its interior a drain passage 6 which communicates with a drain chamber 7, which occupies the interior of the body 1.
• a piston 8 is slidably disposed, which has a cylindrical and preferably thin skirt portion 9 which is penetrated by limited radial passages 10, which are formed in this case of small recesses, which are provided in the edge of the end of the skirt portion 9 ,
• the piston 8 has a transverse section 11 penetrated by an axial limited passage 12.
• the skirt portion 9 and the transverse portion 11 of the piston 8 define an intermediate chamber 16.
• an annular inlet chamber 13 is formed around the skirt portion 9 of the piston 8, which is bounded by a wall of the inlet port 3 and supplied by the inlet chamber 5 via axial circumferential passages 2 of the inlet port 3.
• the drain port 4 is bounded by a transversal wall 14 penetrated by a passage 15. Between this wall 14 and the piston 8, a spring 17 is arranged, which in turn presses the piston 8 with the edge of its skirt portion 9 against the transverse wall 19 of the inlet port 3, which limits the inlet chamber 13. This is the rest position of the device shown in FIG.
• the restricted radial passages 10 allow a limited flow to pass from the inlet chamber 13 to the intermediate chamber 16 located inside the piston 8 and then through the axial passage 12, the drain chamber 7 and Passage 15 continue to the drain passage 6 of the drain port 4, whereby the entire device is traversed. If such a limited flow is present, the pressure in the inlet chamber 13 is the inlet pressure, the pressure in the intermediate chamber 16 is less than the inlet pressure due to the pressure drop that the flow has suffered as it traverses the restricted passageways 10 Pressure in the drain chamber 7 due to the pressure drop, the flow has suffered by the passage of the limited passage 12, further reduced.
• the piston Due to the difference between the pressure prevailing in the intermediate chamber 16 and the lower pressure prevailing in the discharge chamber 7, the piston is urged to move away from the feed connection 3, and the spring 17 acts against this process.
• the piston is practically unaffected by the inlet pressure present in the inlet chamber, since this pressure acts almost completely in the radial direction. Only a negligible component of the inlet pressure acts in the axial direction on the piston in this embodiment, which is directed to the small cross section of the restricted radial passages 10.
• the pressure drops suffered by the flow depend only on the intensity of the flow and the resistances opposed thereto, and not on the absolute value of the pressure. The behavior of the piston in turn is not significantly affected by the value of the inlet pressure and its changes.
• the restricted radial passages 10, the axial limited passage 12 and the return spring 17 must be proportioned relative to each other such that the action of the spring 17 substantially corresponds to the force tending to displace the piston from the first position to the second position when deriving the maximum flow that can cause instability in a thermostatic mixer.
• the piston in turn, retains its first position shown in FIG. 1, as long as the requested flow remains below the said maximum value.
• the restricted radial passages consist of small recesses 10 provided in the edge of the end of the skirt portion.
• the inlet pressure which acts in the axial direction, and it is it which acts on the cross section of the cylindrical portion of the skirt of the piston in the area of the restricted radial passages 10, but this component becomes negligible due to the fact that in the jacket of the piston provided limited radial passages have no appreciable extent and that this jacket may preferably be thin.
• Figs. 3 to 8 show other embodiments of the device according to the invention.
• the Figs. 3 to 8 show other embodiments of the device according to the invention. In these figures, the
• Embodiment correspond, designated by the same reference numerals.
• the second embodiment of FIG. 3 differs from the previous one only in the fact that the restricted passages between the inlet chamber 13 and the intermediate chamber 16 consist of one or more small holes 20 provided in the skirt portion 9, not small ones There are recesses 10, which are provided in the edge of the end of the skirt portion 9 of the piston 8. In this case, too, the negligible component of the inflow pressure acting on the piston in the axial direction in the previous embodiment is absent, and it has none Meaning that the skirt portion 9 of the piston 8 should be thin.
• restricted passages may be accompanied or replaced by a small clearance provided between the piston and the body of the device.
• Fig. 4 shows how a device according to the invention, for example according to FIG. 3, can be installed in a stopcock.
• one half of the body 21, shown in Fig. 4 above corresponds in shape and in the parts exactly to the upper part of the device shown in Fig. 3, while the lower part of the body 21 corresponds to a normal shutter 18 of a Absperrhahns receives, the seal 19 acts against the penetrated by the passage 15 transverse wall 14.
• the body 21 laterally on the drain port 4 with the drain passage 6.
• the result is a compact component whose dimensions are only slightly larger than those of a normal stopcock and which makes it possible to simplify the system by instead of two only a single component is installed in series with a thermostatic mixer.
• Fig. 5 illustrates, in an analogous manner as Fig. 1, a third embodiment of the device according to the invention. This differs from the first embodiment in the construction of the inlet connection 3, which in this case, which requires a different approach to machining, a threaded provided with smaller diameter connection hole 22, which is more suitable for connection with commonly used in the systems terminals, without requiring an adapter element.
• Fig. 6 illustrates in a manner analogous to Fig. 1, a fourth embodiment of the device according to the invention. This differs from the first and the second embodiment in the construction of the inlet port 3, which in this case comprises an additional element 24, which between the terminal 3 and the body 1 of the device is used and part of the inlet port 3 is.
• the additional element 24 defines by means of radial passages the inlet chamber 5 and has the axial circumferential passages 2, which open into the inlet chamber 13.
• the use of the additional element 24 makes it possible to simplify the construction of the inlet connection 3, and it is particularly economical if the additional element 24 is made of plastic material.
• Fig. 6 shows how the edge of the end of the skirt portion 9 of the piston 8, which abuts a flat surface of the inlet port 3 in the previous embodiments, may instead partially engage a seat of this flat surface.
• the jacket 9 must have limited passages in the form of holes 20.
• the seat is recessed in the planar surface of the inlet port, and the skirt of the piston penetrates into this seat in its first position, but the same effect can be obtained even if the planar surface of the inlet port has a protruding seat. which inserts itself into the interior of the shell of the piston in its first position.
• an annular seal can be provided which can dampen the displacements of the piston.
• the advantage of this arrangement resides in the fact that in an abrupt variation of the flow rate, the piston 8 can happen to experience a limited displacement, which can bring it to the second opening position, even if the flow rate is the predetermined value for the suppression of the restriction of the passage cross section of cold feed water has not exceeded.
• the closure of the piston 8 by simply abutment of the edge of the skirt portion 9 occurs readily, at least temporarily, a state of opening of the passage cross-section.
• a limited random displacement of the piston 8 so that the edge of the skirt portion 9 is not disengaged from the seat provided in the inlet port does not modify the state of restricting the passage area and there is no reason for inconvenience.
• the invention makes it possible to realize a device for the dynamic control of a water flow, which is practically not sensitive to variations in the inlet pressure of the cold water whose flow it controls to send it into a thermostatic mixer to its operation stabilize. Accordingly, it is no longer necessary to adjust the load of the return spring depending on the inlet pressure present in the system, and there is no longer any malfunction of the functioning of the device even if, for some reason, this inlet pressure changes to a greater extent.
• the device can be realized to meet various installation requirements by simply selecting a suitable proportioning of its parts and, if it appears useful, can be incorporated into a stopcock.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
• Multiple-Way Valves (AREA)
• Domestic Plumbing Installations (AREA)
• Flow Control (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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Family Applications (1)

Country Status (7)

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• 2004
  • 2004-11-09 IT ITTO20040775 patent/ITTO20040775A1/it unknown
• 2005
  • 2005-11-09 CN CNB2005800383597A patent/CN100527035C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2005-11-09 CA CA 2587159 patent/CA2587159C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2005-11-09 WO PCT/IB2005/003362 patent/WO2006051392A1/de not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2005-11-09 EP EP05805616A patent/EP1810102A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2005-11-09 JP JP2007540741A patent/JP2008519379A/ja active Pending
• 2007
  • 2007-05-07 US US11/800,757 patent/US7681598B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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