FR2899947A1 - SHUTTER ELEMENT FOR REGULATING THE CIRCULATION OF A FLUID IN A HYDRAULIC INSTALLATION - Google Patents

Abstract

Shut-off element for regulating the circulation of a fluid in a hydraulic installation (1), of the type consisting of a submerged spherical ball (4), comprising an outer casing (10) of elastomer coating a hard and solid core ( 11), resistant to pressure and intended to close or release, directly or indirectly, an opening of the installation, characterized in that the core (11) of the spherical ball (4) is made from an aggregation of aggregates, of organic or inorganic origin, and a binder, of predetermined density according to the choice of components, for direct or indirect closure by floating or by gravity.

Description

SHUTTER ELEMENT FOR REGULATING THE CIRCULATION OF A FLUID IN

  The present invention relates to a shut-off element for regulating the circulation of a fluid in a hydraulic installation, and more particularly to the distribution of water.

  Such closure elements are generally constituted by a hemispherical ball immersed in the fluid and consisting of an outer elastomeric casing coating a hard and solid core resistant to pressure, and intended to seal or release the seat of a circular opening of the installation, in the manner of a valve, and this by floating or by gravity. Such closure elements are known and consist of an outer envelope of elastomer coating a sphere corresponding to its internal dimensions, consisting of two hollow sheet metal shells obtained by stamping and welding.

  The disadvantage of this type of balls lies mainly in their cost because of the necessary intervention of specialists to make the half-shells and their welding, concentrically during their stamping.

  It is also often necessary to balance the assembly, which must not be unbalanced, of course, because the support of the ball must be undifferentiated, its position in the fluid may vary, and more to avoid wear localized.

  It is also known to replace the hemispherical shells with a hard and solid wood core, but this presents, by the presence of wood, the disadvantage of offering a ball whose shape is not constant in time, which of course has disadvantages to obtain a perfect seal of the opening which is circular and does not deform. It has also already been proposed to replace the wood core with a plastic core, but which, for its part, has the disadvantage of having a very smooth surface state, which implies making 20 on it protrusions providing as many attachment points of the rubber coating deposited on the core later.

  This solution overcomes the above disadvantages, but is of a high cost.

  The object of the present invention is to remedy all these drawbacks and for this purpose concerns a shut-off element for regulating the circulation of a fluid in a hydraulic installation, of the type constituted by an immersed spherical ball, consisting of an outer casing of elastomer encasing a hard and solid core resistant to pressure and intended to plug or release directly or indirectly an opening of the installation, characterized in that the core of the sphere is made from a Aggregation of aggregates, of organic or inorganic origin, and a binder, of predetermined density according to the choice of components, for direct or indirect closure by floating or by gravity.

  The invention also relates to the features which will emerge during the following description, which should be considered in isolation or in all their possible technical combinations.

  This description given by way of non-limiting example, will better understand how the invention can be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a sectional view in the diametral plane of a spherical ball according to the invention , intended to constitute a sealing element in a hydraulic installation. Figures 2 and 3 show schematically a hydraulic circuit portion comprising a shutter member according to the invention, respectively in an inactive position and in a closed position, in an application of the floating shutter element, for an action in direct shutter.

  FIG. 4 represents a schematic view of an application of the spherical ball according to the invention, to a level sensor, for an indirect closing action.

  FIGS. 5 and 6 schematically represent a portion of a hydraulic circuit comprising a shutter element according to the invention, respectively in an inactive position and in a closed position, in an application of the gravitational shutter element, for an action in direct shutter.

  In a known manner, the hydraulic installation shown in the figures is schematically composed of a hydraulic circuit 1 comprising a pipe 2 and a chamber 3 in which is disposed the shutter element 4 or ball, which chamber comprises an inlet A and an output S.

  In general, according to the application examples shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, 6, the shut-off element is a submerged spherical ball consisting of an elastomeric outer shell 10 coating a hard core and full 11 resistant to pressure and intended to seal or release the seat of a circular opening 5 of the installation 1, in the manner of a valve.

  According to the examples shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, this is an application of the invention to a floating closure system, whereas according to the application examples shown in FIGS. is a gravity shutter system.

  As regards FIG. 4, it is an alternative application of a floating element according to the invention, but acting indirectly on a shutter system via a mechanical control system 6 linked to the level 7 of a liquid 8 in a tank 9 to be controlled, while according to the previous examples, it was a direct action shutter on an opening.

  According to a general characteristic of the invention, the core 11 of the spherical ball 4 is made from an aggregation of aggregates, of organic or mineral origin, and a binder, of predetermined density according to the choice of components, for floating or gravity filling.

  According to a first exemplary embodiment (FIGS. 5 and 6), the core 11 is obtained from a mixture of gravel, sand, cement and water forming a concrete whose density is greater than 1000 k / m3, to obtain a closure ball 4 acting closing in the circuit 1, by gravity.

  According to an alternative embodiment (FIGS. 2, 3 and 4), the core 11 is obtained from a mixture of aggregates whose density is less than 1000 k / m 3, in order to obtain a filling ball 4 acting in closure in the circuit 1, by floating.

  This density can vary between 350 and 800 k / m3, while ordinary concrete is 2400 k / m3.

  According to a practical example of embodiment, the mixture constituting the core 11 is a lightweight concrete whose density is less than 1000 k / m 3, by incorporating a foaming product creating pores for obtaining aerated concrete or cellular.

  This may be for example a mixture of sand, lime, cement, water and an expansion agent for creating air filling cells.

  Advantageously, the pores which are created naturally favor the attachment of the rubber of the outer casing 10, without additional intervention on the surface appearance of the solid core 11, contrary to what was proposed by the prior art.

  Alternatively, the mixture constituting the core 11 is a lightweight concrete whose density is less than 1000 k / m 3, by incorporation of light loads, to obtain an aerated concrete or cell.

  In all cases, the percentages of the components vary according to the density to be obtained.

  Whether it is, according to the above-mentioned examples, a traditional concrete, with a density greater than 1, or a cellular or aerated concrete, with a density of less than 1, the interest of the invention is to present a core 11 of selected density, having a surface appearance sufficiently rough to allow attachment of the rubber coating 10, while providing a very high pressure resistance, advantages to which must be added the ease of production.

  It should be noted that, although the so-called cellular or alveolar concrete is known per se and appreciated in the construction, for its qualities of resistance and lightness, it was not obvious to reach the new application, object of the present invention, to floats for hydraulic circuits.

  Therefore, this is a vanquished prejudice to solve a problem in a completely different field, for a result also completely different from the traditional use of this material.

  With regard to the outer casing 10 of elastomer, it may be for example an Ethylene-Propylene-Diene-Monomer (EPDM), a Nitrite-Butadiene-Rubber (NBR) or even a Fluoroelastomer (FKM).

  It may also be a silicone.

  In all cases, the coating 10 will be deposited on the core 11 by overmolding or by soaking in a polyurethane or latex.

Claims (8)

  1. Shut-off element for regulating the circulation of a fluid in a hydraulic installation (1), of the type consisting of a submerged spherical ball (4), comprising an outer casing (10) made of elastomer coating a hard core and solid (11), resistant to pressure and intended to plug or release, directly or indirectly, an opening of the installation, characterized in that the core (11) of the spherical ball (4) is made from a Aggregation of aggregates, of organic or inorganic origin, and a binder, of predetermined density according to the choice of components, for direct or indirect closure by floating or by gravity.   Closure element according to Claim 1, characterized in that the core (11) is obtained from a mixture of gravel, sand, cement and water forming a concrete whose density is greater than 1000 k / m3, in order to obtain a closing ball (4) acting in closing in the circuit (1), by gravity.   Closure element according to Claim 1, characterized in that the core (11) is obtained from a mixture of aggregates with a density of less than 1000 k / m 3 in order to obtain a ball of shutter (4) acting in closure in the circuit (1), by floating.   4. shutter element according to claim 3, characterized in that the mixture constituting the core (11) is a lightweight concrete whose density is less than 1000 k / m3, by incorporation of a foaming product creating pores for obtaining an aerated or cellular concrete.   Closing element according to claim 3, characterized in that the mixture constituting the core (11) is a lightweight concrete whose density is less than 1000 k / m 3, by incorporation of light loads, to obtain aerated or cellular concrete.   6. shutter element according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the envelope (10) of elastomer is made of Ethylene-Propylene-Diene-Monomer (EPDM).   Closure element according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the elastomer casing is made of Nitrite-Butadiene-Rubber (NBR).   8. shutter element according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the casing (10) of elastomer is made of fluoroelastomer (FKM).