EP3274270A1

EP3274270A1 - A valve for a quick coupling of parts

Info

Publication number: EP3274270A1
Application number: EP16724703.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alessandro CARPITELLI
Original assignee: Papa Flow Technologies Srl
Current assignee: Papa Flow Technologies Srl
Priority date: 2015-03-26
Filing date: 2016-03-24
Publication date: 2018-01-31
Also published as: EP3274019A2; EP3274027A1; ITPI20150007U1

Abstract

The present invention concerns a valve assembly (1, 2) comprising a first part (1) and a second, part (2), coupable between them in a detachable' manner and that, when coupled, define a path (7, 16G, I) of passage for a fluid, said first part comprising a obturator (5), mobile between an open position and a close position and first elastic means (6) to keep the obturator (5) in said close position and wherein said second part (2) comprises a pushing element (60), mobile between a close position and an open position of the path, and second elastic means (20) configured to keep it in close position,, said valve assembly being such that, when the first part is coupled to said second. part, the pushing element (60) acts on the obturator (5) pushing it in the open position and bringing itself to the open position.

Description

TITLE

A VALVE FOR A QUICK COUPLING OF PARTS Technical field

The present invention concerns the technical field relative to valve systems.

In particular, the invention refers to an innovative valve which results to be long-lasting and reliable and which, above all, allows a quick coupling between the parts, being able to guarantee an optimal seal at the same time .

Background art

Several types of valves have long been known, which are operated in such a way as to open/close a certain path for fluids according to the conditions created.

The valve, therefore, intercepts a path of the fluid and, according to, for example, the conditions of pressure of the fluid itself, sets in an open or close condition.

In other cases, it is operated by external elements that can be of the manual or automatic type.

A very well-known example can be that of the ball valves of figure 1.

In this case, the path 110 of the fluid is highlighted (identified through the arrows that indicate a direction of example from left to right) and a ball 130 which is arranged in a chamber 120 that intercepts the path. The ball is axially holed, forming a conduit of passage 130' as shown in the section of figure 2.

The ball is then connected to an actuation axis 150 through which it can be rotated between an open position (ON) and a close position (OFF) . To that aim, such axis 150 can connect to a handle 140 that facilitates the manual operation in rotation thereof.

Naturally, the operation can equally take place in an automated way, with the operation of the axis 150 through a specific actuator.

The ball, as shown in figure 3, can therefore rotate in a position in which the conduit is in axis with the path 110, therefore allowing the passage of the fluid, or it can be rotated of ninety degrees, thus obstructing the passage.

This type of solution requires, naturally, a system that rotates the valve between the two positions, and this complicates structurally the valve itself.

Moreover, in the case of breakage of the axis 150, the valve is no more operable in any way.

The rotation of the ball in its lodging causes with time the wear of the various seals arranged and of the ball itself, therefore causing with time a loss in seal that obliges substitutions.

A valve of a different nature is that which is represented in figure 4 of the prior art.

The figure shows such valve 200, of the axial type, and highlights with the two arrows the travel direction of the fluid that passes through the flow path.

The path, also in this case, can be obstructed by a ball 240 that, unlike the preceding solution, does not rotate but rather translates. It is kept in contrast against the opening of the conduit thanks to a spring 220 adequately calibrated. Naturally, specific seal gaskets 250 can be foreseen.

When the fluid exceeds a pre-determined pressure value, the fluid beats the force of the spring and therefore the ball initiates to translate from right to left, progressively compressing the spring and opening the passage to the fluid. When the pressure value decreases below a pre-established value, the force of the spring beats the pressure and brings the ball back in the configuration of figure 4, that is in the close position.

It is therefore possible to calibrate the springs adequately in such a way as to be able to have valves that set in ON or OFF positions at different values, according to the needs.

A thus-made valve, even if long-lasting and well- known, also presents different technical problems.

Even if functional, the ball is pushed exclusively by the pressure of the fluid. In that sense, it is above all necessary to select the correct valve that works in the range of pressures foreseen for the specific application. A pressure drop in the circuit can cause an undesired closure of the valve. Moreover, such type of valve in fact is a single component in the form of an external joint that connects two parts separated one from the other. The union of such two parts requires a connection of one part to such joint and, on the opposite side, the connection of such joint to the other part. Such operation is not always easy and often requires specific assembly/disassembly equipment.

Obturatorlosure of invention

It is therefore the aim of the present invention to realize a valve system (1, 2), of the axial type, which solves said technical inconveniences.

In particular, it is the aim of the present invention to provide a valve system (1, 2) that allows a quick attachment between the parts, without requiring - A - necessarily various assemblies and equipment.

It is also the aim of the present invention to provide an axial valve system whose functioning is independent from the pressure of the fluid and wherein the actuation thereof between close position (OFF) and open position (ON) is actuated through a simple and safe system, therefore guaranteeing ease of use and a greater duration in time.

These and other aims are thus reached by the present valve system, in accordance with claim 1.

Such valve system (1, 2) comprises a first part (1) and a second part (2), coupable between them in a detachable manner and that, when coupled, define a path (7, 16G, I) of passage for a fluid.

The first part comprises a obturator (5), mobile between an open position of the path and a close position and first elastic means (6) to keep the obturator (5) in said close position.

The second part (2) comprises a pushing element (60), mobile between a close position and an open position of the path, and second elastic means (20) configured to keep it in close position.

In accordance with the invention, said valve system is such that, when the first part is coupled to said second part, the pushing element (60) acts on the obturator (5), pushing it in the open position and bringing itself to the open position.

In this way, when the two parts are coupled between them, the path defined by them results to be open, allowing the passage of the fluid.

When they are separated, they automatically set in an obstruction configuration of their relative path.

In this way, all said technical inconveniences are easily solved. In particular, the first and the second part can be arranged, respectively, in the two parts (A, B) to be coupled, thus allowing a quick coupling so that, when coupled, the path results to be open.

This type of valve system is therefore ideal for applications in which the path must result to be open when the two parts couple (for example, a pipeline purge that connects to a containment tank) .

Further, such valve system works in an independent way from the pressure of the fluid and the opening is obtained through the pushing action of the pushing element that pushes on the obturator during the coupling. In this way, such valve system is free from any operative pressure of the fluid (be it gas, liquid, etc.) .

Further advantages can be deduced from the dependent claims .

Brief description of drawings

Further features and advantages of the present valve system, according to the invention, will result to be clearer with the description that follows of some embodiments thereof, made to illustrate but not to limit, with reference to the annexed drawings, wherein:

- Figures from 1 to 4 show solutions in accordance with the known art;

- Figure 5 shows in section the first part 1 constituting such valve system;

- Figure 6 shows an exploded view of the components shown in figure 5;

- Figure 7 and figure 8 show in section the second part 2 constituting such valve system;

- Figure 9 shows a functioning phase of the schematic type;

- Figure 10 shows the valve system constituted by the two separated parts (1, 2); - Figure 11 shows a sample application in conduits in general ;

- Figure 12 shows a further sample application in a tank;

- The sequence of figures from 13 to 15 show a further functioning example.

Description of some preferred embodiments

With reference to figure 5, the first part 1 of such valve assembly is described.

Figure 5 shows a constructive detail relative to the conduit 7 which delimits the part of path of passage of the fluid relative to such first part 1 and that is of containment for the internal components. It is suitable for being inserted in a receiving part, constituting the second part of such valve system described below, and that delimits its part of path for the fluid.

Always as shown in figure 5, such conduit 7 forms a shoulder that serves as support for a spring 6.

On the opposite side, the spring supports a obturator 5 that is kept against the mouth of the conduit 7, thanks to the pushing action that the spring exerts.

The mouth of the conduit narrows progressively, like also the conformation of the obturator, in such a way that the obturator obstructs the conduit 7 without being expelled by the pushing action of the spring.

The obturator is therefore conformed in such a way as to be able to slide inside the conduit, obstructing it when it reaches the end position.

The conduit 7, for example of cylindrical form, terminates with a head 7' of the widened type and whose function will be explained below.

The exploded view of figure 6 shows clearly the single components of such first part.

An inferior part ID can, for example, connect to the conduit 7 through a thread or, alternatively, a single component can exist, or welded subsequently to the assembly or forming internally such shoulder.

The thread, naturally, allows an easy disassembly for eventual maintenance and also assembly in the production phase.

The exploded view shows the spring 6 that results to be interposed between the obturator 5 and the shoulder generated by the inferior part ID.

The obturator,^' of cylindrical form, for example, has a particular trunk-conical profile thanks to which it has a particularly effective function.

The obturator foresees, in fact, a series of radial channels, to be precise four placed at angle distances of ninety degrees one from the other and visible in the top view placed on the side. Such radial channels, (11, 11B, llC, 11D) intercept an axial channel HE visible in the bottom view.

Through such channels the circulating fluid, in predetermined conditions that will be clarified below, can pass along the conduit 7.

The trunk-conical profile of the obturator makes that its superior part, where the radial holes are placed, can result to be complementary to the superior part 7' of the similarly shaped channel.

Figure 6 in fact shows the inclined section 1'' with an inclination equal to that of the obturator.

In this way, when the obturator is in the configuration of figure 5, kept in contrast against the narrowed part 7'' of the channel 7, the radial holes obstructed by the wall 7'' itself of the channel and therefore the fluid that pushes to be able to enter (as per the direction of arrow in figure 5) is impeded to do it .

The spring can be calibrated at will so that, for example, it does not compress for any operative value foreseen of the fluid, therefore requiring an external action for the compression thereof.

Such first part 1 is, however, operatively coupled to a second part 2, described with reference to figures 7 and 8.

In particular, a pushing element 60 is foreseen (shown in isolation in figure 9) whose function is that of pushing the obturator 5, relative to the first part, in the open position.

Until the pushing element 60 keeps the obturator 5 in such position, the radial holes of the obturator 5 move apart from the wall T' and therefore open, allowing the passage of the fluid through them and therefore through the axial conduit HE to which they connect.

Going further into the descriptive detail of such second part, such pushing element 60 is lodged slidingly in a containment conduit 61 thereof whose profile foresees a rectilinear section (16G) and a subsequent widened section (I) suitable for holding the convexed head 7' relative to the first part.

For that reason, such containment conduit is realized in a deformable material that allows to widen the rectilinear section during the penetration of the head 7', which is then held in the widened part where it blocks .

This solution, in fact, creates two complementary elements that connect between them in a snap-like manner. This guarantees the seal against accidental detachment.

As clarified below, when such type of connection takes place, in fact the pushing element is brought to a condition in which it pushes against the obturator, bringing it in open position (ON) .

Going on with the structural description of the invention, such pushing element 60 comprises a stem 22 having a disk 19 configured to go in contact against the mouth of the rectilinear part 16G. In such contact condition, it obstructs the mouth of the rectilinear section 16G, therefore impeding any flow of fluid.

A spring 20 is inserted in the widened part (I) and is interposed between the disk 19 and a back shoulder. A further disk 30 is foreseen in the stem downstream of the disk 19 and whose dimensions are such as to slide into the channel 16G.

For a greater seal, the disk 30 can be provided on its periphery with a seal ring, for example a rubber ring (generally called O-Ring) , in case it is dimensioned in such a way as to scrape, obstructing the channel 16G (for a better seal) .

The stem, as shown in figure 7 and 8, for instance, foresees upstream of the disk 19 an internal channel 22' that forms a conduit of passage of a fluid (an H-shaped channel, for example, or also simply an upside-down C- shaped one) .

The fluid, coming from any source, is injected in the roundish area (I) of the conduit (for example, through holes) so that, when the stem is in the advanced position of figure 7, the gas is impeded to pass in the rectilinear part of the conduit 16G because the disk 19 obstructs such passage .

In this condition the valve system is in the OFF modality .

However, when the stem initiates to draw back, like in the position of figure 8, the gas initiates to flow along the conduit 16G since it accedes through the conduit 22' obtained in the stem (see dotted lines in figure 8 that indicate the path of the fluid) .

The spring 20, which in the drawing back phase of the stem 60 compresses, tends to bring the element 60 back in the advanced position when the pushing action is terminated that brings it in draw position (ON) .

Figure 9 shows schematically the path of the fluid that, through the H-shaped conduit 22' , then passes through the radial holes of the obturator when this is pushed in draw back position by the element 60.

Just for descriptive simplicity purposes, the path of the fluid through the section H has been indicated only in its superior half (as if the path was simply upside- down C-shaped) and not in the inferior half.

The applications for this type of valve are numerous .

For simplicity and clarity, figure 10 shows such valve system formed by the first and the second part placed one opposite the other one.

Figure 11 is practically the same as figure 10, with the only difference that the first part and the second part of such valve system have been placed into generic conduits or parts destined to be coupled. For example, just for clarity purposes, figure 12 shows an application example in which the part A is a portion of conduit that connected to the part B, which can be another conduit that converges to a tank or a direct connection to the tank.

Thanks to the valve system described, the two parts

A and B couple quickly in a snap-like manner, keeping the path of passage open until when such coupling is kept. When the release and the uncoupling of the two parts take place, the valve system as conceived closes, obstructing the path of passage for the fluid.

Such valve system is therefore applicable to any field, for example the one relative to the auto-purges or containment tanks, as per figure 12.

Other application fields could be those relative to -lithe cylinders (part A) and reload machinery of the same (part B) . The cylinder can, for example, foresee a valve A and the loader a pusher as per part B of figure 10 or 11.

The sequence of the figures from 13 to 15 show again a detail of functioning.

In particular, figure 13 shows the part of pipe or part in general A, which comprises the first part of such valve system, while it is inserted in the part B that comprises the second part, that is the pushing element 60. During the penetration, the pusher enters in interference with the obturator 5, pushing it backwards towards the open position. The advancement of the pusher (and therefore also the drawing back of the obturator 5) terminates when the disk 30 rests on the surface of the head 7, serving as stop and also as centering system. The presence of the disk 30 guarantees that the pushing pivot 60 keeps well-centered on the obturator. When, during the advancement of the first part 1, the disk 30 beats in contrast against the head 7', from that moment the entire pusher 60 is drawn back along its sliding path, compressing the spring placed at the back of the disk 19. The advancement of the first part of the valve system continues until the widened head 7' penetrates and is blocked into the widened part (I) . It is to be noted again that the penetration conduit (16G, I) is of a deformable material, for example rubber, to allow the head to penetrate through the rectilinear part to then fit in the widened part. This guarantees per se a good seal against undesired detachments.

Figure 15 shows the final position in which the disk

30 and the disk 19 are both inside the widened chamber (I) . In this way, the fluid that comes from any part from the right (for instance, from a hole in axis or from a hole not in axis, for example at ninety degrees), can -Impenetrate in the widened chamber (I) and, as described, continue its path along the conduit. In particular, the fluid passes through the H-shaped path (or a path of another form) obtained in the pushing element to then pass through the open holes of the obturator 5, thus continuing its path.

When the two parts are detached, they go back in a close configuration, as per figure 11, therefore impeding any passage of fluid.

Claims

1. A valve assembly (1, 2) comprising a first part (1) and a second part (2), coupable between them in a detachable manner and that, when coupled, define a path (7, 16G, I) of passage for a fluid, said first part comprising a obturator (5), mobile between an open position of the path and a close position and first elastic means (6) to keep the obturator (5) in said close position and wherein said second part (2) comprises a pushing element (60), mobile between a close position and an open position of the path, and second elastic means (20) configured to keep it in close position, said valve assembly being such that, when the first part is coupled to said second part, the pushing element (60) acts on the obturator (5) pushing it in the open position and bringing itself to the open position.

2. A valve assembly (1, 2), as per claim 1, wherein, when uncoupled, said first and second elastic means (6, 20) bringing the obturator (5) and the pushing element (60) back to the close position.

3. A valve assembly (1, 2), as per claim 1 or 2, wherein said first part (1) comprises a first part of path (7) for the fluid and said second part comprises a second part of path (16G, I) for the fluid.

4. A valve assembly (1, 2), as per claim 3, wherein the obturator (5) and said first part of path (7) are conformed in such a way that the obturator obstructs said first part of path (7) when kept in said close position .

5. A valve assembly (1, 2), as per claim 3, wherein the pushing element (60) and said second part of path (16G, I) are conformed in such a way that the pushing element (60) obstructs said second part of path (16G, I) when kept in said close position.

6. A valve assembly (1, 2), as per one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the pushing element (60) and the obturator (5) foresee one or more channels (11, 11B, llC, 11D, HE, 22) of passage for the fluid obtained in the body of the pushing element (60) and of the obturator (5), said first part of path (7) and the relative obturator (5) and said second part of path (16G, I) and the relative pushing element (60) being conformed in such a way that said channels allow the passage of the fluid along the path, when the pushing element and the obturator are in said open position.

7. A valve assembly (1, 2), as per one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the obturator (5) forms inside it at least one radial channel (11, 11B, 11C, 11D) that converges with an axial channel (HE) .

8. A valve assembly (1,. 2), as per one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the obturator (5) has a substantially trunk-conical form that terminates in an underlying cylindrical part, said first part of path (7) foreseeing an end (7'') with such trunk-conical complementary profile that when the obturator is in the close position said channels result to be obstructed against the walls (7'') of the first part of path and when it translates in the open position said trunk-conical part of the obturator moves apart from the walls (7'') of the first part of path, freeing the channels for the passage of the fluid.

9. A valve assembly (1, 2), as per one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said pushing element (60) comprises a pivot (22) inside of which a channel (22') of passage for the fluid and a disk (19) are obtained that obstructs the rectilinear part (16G) of said second part of path (16G, I) when said pushing element is in said close position.

10. A valve assembly (1, 2), as per claim 9, wherein the disk (19) is upstream with respect to the channel (22' ) .

11. An assembly, as per one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid penetrates in the widened part (I) of the second part of path to flow towards the first part of path through the channel (22'), when the pushing element is in said open position.

12. An assembly, as per one or more of the preceding claims, wherein one or more openings are foreseen to allow the fluid to penetrate in the widened part (I) of the second part of path to flow towards the first part of path through the channel (22') when the pushing element is in said open position.

An assembly, as per one or more of the preceding claims, wherein in said close position the channel (22' ) results to be arranged inside the rectilinear part (16G) of the path and with the disk (19) that obstructs the access to the fluid into said rectilinear part.

A valve assembly (1, 2), as per one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said second part of path (16G, I) forming a rectilinear part (16G) that terminates in a widened area (I) .

15. A valve assembly (1, 2), as per one or more of the preceding claims, wherein at. least the rectilinear part (16G) is of an elastically deformable material.

16. A valve assembly (1, 2), as per one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the first part (1) is conformed with a swell in the apex configured to be inserted in the widened area (I) of the second part.