EP2574595A1 - Refuelling nozzle - Google Patents

Abstract

The valve has an earthing cable (14) and/or a protective cap (13) for fiber material, connected with the valve by a cord (12). An automatic retraction mechanism i.e. winding roller, is provided for the earthing cable and/or the cord of the protective cap. An operation lever is formed to open a main valve against force pretensioning the main valve into a closed position. The operation lever and a valve operator of the main valve are connected kinematically over a coupled gear with variable translation in a course of operation stroke of the operation lever.

Description

The invention relates to a dispensing valve for filling liquids in a reservoir according to the preamble of claim 1. The refueling of particular smaller aircraft takes place with so-called airfield refueling valves, by means of which fuel in frequently arranged on the top of the wings filling openings (overwing refueling) is delivered. The implementation of such overwing refueling is complex and requires considerable skill, since on the one hand the dispensing valve must be brought together with heavy filling hose in the required overwing position and on the other hand before the refueling a protective cap removed from the outlet pipe and a ground wire connected to the aircraft must be to make a ground connection.

The invention has for its object to provide a nozzle of the type mentioned, which facilitates the operator a refueling operation and thus is particularly suitable for use as an airfield refueling valve.

The problem is solved by the fact that the grounding cable has an automatic return mechanism. In particular, this may be a take-up reel biased into the winding position. In this way, after completion of a refueling operation, the grounding cable can be rolled up automatically and obstructs the further handling of the dispensing valve Not. The protective cap can be connected according to the invention by means of a cord with the nozzle and for this string can also be provided an automatic return.

First, some terms used in the invention are explained. The dispensing valve according to the invention is designed for filling liquids, in particular fuels or other operating fluids, in a storage container. The storage container may in particular be a fuel tank, for example the fuel tank of an aircraft or another vehicle. A main valve doses the fluid delivery. An operating lever (also called lever) is used to actuate the main valve. The main valve is biased to the closed position, in which it prevents the liquid discharge. The bias in the closed position is usually done by a spring force.

Aircraft refueling valves must generally have a grounding cable by means of which a ground connection to the aircraft is made before the refueling operation begins. Furthermore, a cap is usually provided for the protection of the discharge end when not in use. The invention has recognized that a loosely drooping cable end or a cap hanging loosely on a cord end can make the handling of the dispensing valve considerably more difficult. In addition to handling and positioning the valve with the heavy supply hose, the user of the dispensing valve must also ensure that drooping cable or cord ends are not in the way or catching on protrusions or other obstacles, for example when transporting the dispensing valve.

The inventively provided automatic return has the advantage that, for example, in an overwing refueling when inserting or removing the nozzle no cable or cord ends hanging loose on the nozzle, which can interfere with handling or may cause damage to the wing surface or their painting under certain circumstances.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the valve actuation has a progressive characteristic in which at the beginning of Ventilöffnungshubes when applying the actuating lever with an actuating force a greater opening force is exerted on the main valve than when applying the actuating lever with the same actuating force in the course the valve opening stroke.

According to this embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the valve actuation has a progressive characteristic. At the beginning of Ventilöffnungshubes (and thus at the beginning of the actuation path of the actuating lever) causes the application of the actuating lever with a defined actuation force a larger opening force on the main valve than when exerting the same actuating force in the course of the Ventilöffnungshubes (and thus actuation path of the actuating lever). This correlates with a changed path reduction. For a defined valve lift at the beginning of the valve opening operation, a longer actuating travel of the actuating lever is required than for the same valve lift in the further course or towards the end of the valve opening operation.

This embodiment of the invention combines the apparent contradiction, on the one hand to avoid high actuation forces for the actuating lever and at the same time to allow a small lever travel at a nozzle. The necessary to open the main valve lifting force is highest at the time of the beginning of the opening process, since at this time still no flow through the valve takes place and the full pressure difference between the inlet and outlet side of the valve acts on the valve disk and this in addition to the spring force in the closed position presses. The inventively provided stronger reduction of lever travel in Ventilhubweg reduces the required operating force on the operating lever to overcome this initial resistance. After starting the valve opening, the pressure difference across the valve decreases due to the fluid flow and the necessary lifting forces for further opening of the main valve decrease. The invention makes use of this by now providing a lower reduction from lever travel to Ventilhubweg. The operating force on the operating lever can remain approximately the same, by the now changed reduction ratio, the lever travel decreases until reaching the full open position of the main valve. For the complete valve opening thus a comparatively small lever travel is required, yet at the beginning of the opening operation due to the then stronger reduction only a comparatively low actuation force is required. This facilitates the handling of the valve, especially when used as an airfield refueling valve in the overwing mode.

Preferably, operating lever and valve actuation of the main valve (thus preferably the valve stem) are kinematical connected via a coupling gear with variable in the course of the actuation path of the actuating lever translation. This translation is variable in that at the beginning of the opening stroke of the valve, a greater reduction of lever travel in the valve path is carried out as in the further course or towards the end of the opening stroke.

Various embodiments of this coupling mechanism are conceivable. In a first preferred embodiment of the invention, the coupling mechanism has a driving lever articulated on the actuating lever, the first actuating end is in operative connection with the valve rod of the main valve. The driving lever preferably has a second end, which is articulated on the first end of a reversing lever, the second end is in turn articulated to a stationary region of the dispensing valve. In the course of actuation of the actuating lever, the angular position of the driving lever changes in a manner explained in more detail in the embodiments and thus causes the operating end of the driving lever is pivoted in the opening direction of the valve rod. This pivoting movement of the driving lever by a rotation or pivoting about the pivot axis on the actuating lever causes the operating end of the driving lever additionally moves in the opening direction of the main valve and thus increases the actuation path of the valve and thus the effectively used valve.

According to the invention, it can be provided that the first actuating end of the entrainment lever essentially has a straight guide. The actuating lever usually pivots on actuation about an axis and thus performs a circular segment movement. The driving lever can turn around pivot its pivot axis on the actuating lever in opposite directions. The radii of the two counter-rotating arcs may be formed such that, as a result, the operating end of the driving lever has substantially a rectilinear movement in the direction of the opening stroke of the valve. This allows a particularly efficient, low-friction and low-wear opening of the main valve, since there is no or at most low frictional forces on the operative connection between the operating end of the driving lever and valve stem.

In another embodiment of the invention, the coupling gear can have a drag lever. This preferably has a point of articulation and preferably at the operating point remote from the articulation point. The rocker arm is preferably lifted by an actuating element of the actuating lever, wherein in the course of actuation of the actuating lever, this actuating element moves along the rocker arm in the direction of its articulation point and so by the changed leverage a certain way the operating lever in the course of the opening process a correspondingly larger Way the actuating end of the rocker arm causes.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the valve body has two diametrically opposite feeds, to which two inlet regions of the dispensing valve housing are connected. The liquid feed then does not take place from the end face of the valve body or valve housing opposite the discharge opening or the outlet pipe, but the liquid is supplied from the side, the feed direction is preferably approximately at right angles to the stroke direction of the valve stem. In the area the outlet opening opposite end face of the valve body, the actuating mechanism including the operating lever can be arranged. This structural design offers a number of advantages. On the one hand, the described "kinking" of the feed direction relative to the dispensing direction facilitates the handling of the dispensing valve, for example, in a typical overwing refueling situation. On the other hand, the relatively free arrangement of the actuating mechanism at the free end of the valve body allows handling and actuation from different directions, without being affected by the supply hose. Handling and, for example, overwing refueling are again improved by feed zones which are pivotably connected to the inlets of the valve body. This is a fluid connection designed as a rotary joint. This pivotability facilitates handling again, since the angle between the usually quite heavy and often less flexible supply hose and the outlet pipe can be better adjusted and so refueling is facilitated. The pivotability can be limited by stops and include only a small angular range of, for example, 10 to 15 °. Alternatively, it is also possible to make a full turn-over of, for example, 180 °, if this is not hindered by the actuating mechanism at the front end of the valve body.

The inlet regions of the dispensing valve housing may preferably extend in the shape of a fork from the hose connection of the dispensing valve to the described inlets of the valve body. The liquid flow through the supply hose is divided in this way into two partial streams and the valve body through the two diametrically opposite Inlets fed. This facilitates higher volume flows through the nozzle. Such a design with large flow cross sections also reduces occurring pressure losses.

According to the invention, it can be provided that a connecting web, which is preferably designed as a liquid passage, is provided between the fork-shaped inlet regions. This increases the stability and strength of the construction and, according to the invention, can additionally have a sight glass which allows optical control of the refueling process. The sight glass is then arranged protected inside the fork between the two inlet areas. Alternatively, the sight glass may be arranged in the valve body, preferably in the region which is protected by the fork-shaped inlet regions.

The dispensing valve preferably has a nominal diameter of at least 25, more preferably a nominal width range of 40 to 50. The stated values can be combined as desired to areas according to the invention. It is preferably provided for an output of at least 150 l / min, more preferably 200, 300 or 400 l / min. A preferred maximum power output is 800 rpm. The stated values can be combined as desired to areas according to the invention.

It can also be provided that the dispensing valve according to the invention has a quick-change tube (outlet pipe).

Fig. 1

eine Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Zapfventils;

Fig. 2

eine Ansicht der Rückholautomatik für das Erdungskabel und die Schnur der Schutzkappe;

Fig. 3

ein erfindungsgemäßes Zapfventil in einer Schnittzeichnung;

Fig. 4

in einem Ausschnitt aus Figur 1 das Zapfventil im geschlossenen Zustand;

Fig. 5

in einem Ausschnitt aus Figur 3 das Zapfventil im geöffneten Zustand;

Fig. 6

ein Ausschnitt aus einer anderen Ausführungsform mit Schlepphebel im geschlossenen Zustand;

Fig. 7

die Ausführungsform der Figur 6 im geöffneten Zustand.

Embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Show:

Fig. 1

a view of a dispensing valve according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a view of the automatic return for the ground wire and the cord of the cap;

Fig. 3

an inventive nozzle in a sectional drawing;

Fig. 4

in a section FIG. 1 the nozzle in the closed state;

Fig. 5

in a section FIG. 3 the nozzle in the open state;

Fig. 6

a section of another embodiment with finger lever in the closed state;

Fig. 7

the embodiment of the FIG. 6 in the open state.

This in FIG. 1 illustrated dispensing valve according to the invention basically has a hose connection 1, fork-shaped aufspreizende inlet areas 2, a valve body 3, an actuating mechanism with a handle 4 and an actuating lever 5 and an outlet pipe 6. The outlet pipe 6 is, as in FIG. 3 to recognize, designed as a quick change tube. The valve body 3 has two diametrically opposite, formed as a swivel joint liquid passages at which takes place from the inlet regions 2, an inflow of liquid into the valve body 3. The inlet regions 2 are formed pivotable relative to the valve body 3 around these pivot joints 7.

At the end opposite the outlet end of the valve body 3 of the handle 4 and the actuating lever 5 is arranged. It can be seen that due to the illustrated design, these actuating elements can be gripped freely from all sides, since they are arranged above the hose connection 1.

Between the inlet regions 2, a connecting web 8 (designed as a liquid-permeable connecting tube) is arranged in the vicinity of the valve body 3 in order to increase the stability of the dispensing valve. Protected in the region enclosed by the inlet regions 2 of the valve body 3, a sight glass indicated at 9 is arranged, through which the refueling process can be monitored.

FIG. 2 shows details of the automatic return according to the invention. At the front end of the valve body 3 in the region of the approach of the handle 4, two take-up reels 10, 11 are arranged, which are biased by means not shown springs in the winding position. Of the coils 10, 11, a cord 12 with a protective cap 13 attached thereto for the outlet pipe 6 can be deducted. In the idle state of the dispensing valve, the protective cap 13 can protect the outlet end of the outlet pipe 6. If the protective cap 13 is removed in preparation for the refueling process, the cord 12 is wound onto the spool 10 and the protective cap 13 is pulled against the dispensing valve. It does not hang down and does not interfere with handling during the refueling process. On the coil 11, a ground wire 14 is wound, to which a ground terminal is connected. Again, in the idle state, the ground wire 14 is wound up and the ground terminal does not hang loose. Before start the refueling operation, a required length of the grounding cable 14 is pulled out and a ground connection is established between the nozzle and, for example, the aircraft.

The main valve of the dispensing valve according to the invention has, within the valve body 3, a valve disk which, in the closed state, seals against a valve seat 16 with a valve seal 15. In this closed position, the valve is held by a valve spring 17. By means of a valve rod 18, the valve can be moved against the force of the spring 17 in an open position. The valve rod 18 has in the direction away from the valve seat 16 end a transverse to its axis bore 19 through which engages the actuating end 20 of a 21 pivotally connected to the actuating lever 5 driving lever 22. The driving lever 22 is pivotally connected at 23 with a lever 24, the second end is in turn pivotally connected at 25 to a fixed part of the valve body and the handle.

Through the interaction of the actuating lever 5 (with its pivot axis 26), lever 24, driving lever 22 and valve rod 18, the initially described coupling gear with variable reduction, which causes the inventive progressive characteristic of the valve actuation.

FIG. 4 shows the nozzle in the closed state. The valve seal 15 is liquid-tight against the valve seat 16. If you move the operating lever 5 from the in FIG. 4 shown rest position, describes the pivot axis 21 of the driving lever 22 a circular arc whose radius is the distance between the axis 26 of the actuating lever 5 and said pivot axis 21 corresponds. At the same time, the distance between the axis 21 of the driving lever 22 and the axis 25 of the reversing lever 24 is reduced by the movement of the actuating lever 5, so that they experience a rotational movement about the axis 23 relative to one another. The combination of the pivoting movements of the driving lever 22 about the axis 26 of the actuating lever 5 on the one hand and the opposite pivotal movement about the axis 21 on the other hand causes the actuating end 20 of the driving lever 22 a undergoes substantially rectilinear upward movement and due to the operative connection in the bore 19, the valve rod 18 lifts against the force of the spring 17 and opens the valve. One recognizes in the FIGS. 4 and 5 in that the kinematics of the linkage gear are such that, as the movement of the actuating lever 5 progresses through the described counter-rotating pivoting movements of the driving lever 22, the reduction of the coupling gear continuously decreases, so that at the beginning of the movement of the actuating lever 5 a certain pivoting angle about the axis 26 is smaller Opening stroke of the valve causes the same pivot angle about the axis 26 in the further course of the opening. Correspondingly opposite is the power reduction.

The FIGS. 6 and 7 show a second embodiment of the invention, in which the coupling gear has a drag lever. The actuating lever 5 is here via a projection 27 in operative connection with a cam follower 28, which is articulated at 29 pivotally. The drag lever 28 is at its end facing away from the pivot axis 29 in An operative connection with a bore in the valve rod 18 and can lift this.

As by comparing the FIGS. 6 and 7 to recognize, when moving the operating lever 5 whose projection 27 lifts the rocker arm 28 and thus opens the valve. In the course of this movement, the projection 27 slides along the bottom of the finger lever 28 and it decreases due to the relative arrangement of the pivot axis 26 of the actuating lever 5 on the one hand and the pivot axis 29 of the finger lever 28 on the other hand, the distance between the pivot axis 29 and the point of action of the projection 27th on the rocker arm 28. By this reduction of the distance, the lever length changed such that at the beginning of the actuation operation a defined change in angle of the finger lever 5 causes a smaller opening stroke of the valve as a pivotal movement of the actuating lever 5 by the same angle in the further progress of the opening movement. One thus again receives a coupling mechanism with variable reduction.

In FIG. 3 can still be seen that the actuating lever 5 has a stopping aid 30, which allows in three defined by detents 31 on the handle 4 open positions that the operating lever 5 is kept open with reduced manual force, as in EP 2 186 773 A1 is described. The subject matter of this application is also incorporated herein by reference.

Claims (15)

A dispensing valve for dispensing liquids into a storage container, which has a grounding cable (14) and / or a discharge opening protective cap (13) connected to the dispensing valve by means of a cord (12), characterized in that it has a return cable for the grounding cable and / or or the cord of the protective cap. A dispensing valve according to claim 1, comprising a main valve and an actuating lever (5) adapted to open the main valve against a force biasing the main valve to the closed position, characterized in that the valve actuation has a progressive characteristic at the beginning of the valve opening stroke when applying the actuating lever with an actuating force a greater opening force is exerted on the main valve than when applying the actuating lever with the same actuating force in the course of the Ventilöffnungshubes. A dispensing valve according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the actuating lever (5) and valve actuation of the main valve are kinematically connected via a coupling gear in the course of the actuating travel of the actuating lever (5) variable translation. A dispensing valve according to claim 3, characterized in that the coupling gear has a driving lever (22), which is articulated on the actuating lever (5), the first of which Operating end (20) is in operative connection with the valve rod (18) of the main valve. A dispensing valve according to claim 4, characterized in that the driving lever (22) has a second end, which is hinged to the first end of a reversing lever (24), the second end is in turn articulated to a stationary region of the dispensing valve. A dispensing valve according to claim 5, characterized in that the first actuating end (20) of the driving lever (22) has substantially a straight guide. A dispensing valve according to claim 3, characterized in that the coupling mechanism has a drag lever (28). A dispensing valve according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the valve body (3) has two diametrically opposite inlets (2), to which two inlet regions (7) of the dispensing valve housing are connected. A dispensing valve according to claim 8, characterized in that the inlet regions (7) of the dispensing valve housing are pivotably connected to the inlets (2) of the valve body (3). A dispensing valve according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the inlet regions (2) of the dispensing valve housing are fork-shaped from the hose connection (1) of the dispensing valve to the inlets (7) of the valve body (3) extend. A dispensing valve according to claim 10, characterized in that a preferably formed as a liquid passage connecting web (8) is provided between the fork-shaped inlet regions. A dispensing valve according to claim 11, characterized in that a sight glass (9) in the valve body (3) or the connecting web (8) is provided. Dispensing valve according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it has a nominal diameter of at least 25, preferably 40 to 50. Dispensing valve according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it has an output of at least 150 1 / min, preferably at least 200, 300 or 400 1 / min, more preferably at most 800 1 / min. Dispensing valve according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that it has a quick-change tube (6).

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