GB1582644A

GB1582644A - Regulating valve

Info

Publication number: GB1582644A
Application number: GB2431377A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Rockwell International Corp
Current assignee: Boeing North American Inc
Priority date: 1976-06-18
Filing date: 1977-06-10
Publication date: 1981-01-14
Also published as: AU514992B2; NL7706591A; AU2588477A; CA1083008A; FR2355327A1; FR2355327B1; JPS531328A; DE2727225A1; BR7703963A

Description

(54) REGULATING VALVE (71) We, ROCKWELL INTERNA TIONAL CORPORATION, a corporation of the State of Delaware, U.S.A., having a place of business at 600 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219, U.S.A., do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a Patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement.

his invention relates to regulating valves particularly useful in gas pressure control.

It is an object of this invention to provide a regulating valve which regulates the flow of fluid to maintain a more uniform downstream pressure level over a wider range of demanded flow rates than previous devices, and which can be formed as a compact unitary assembly which is easy to assemble and maintain, and which can be readily adapted for use in a variety of services.

According to the invention there is provided a valve for regulating a flow of fluid including a housing having inflow and outflow passages for the through flow of fluid, a flexible tube of resilient material within said housing, a barrier disposed within said tube intermediate the ends thereof having a peripheral surface against which said tube is adapted to engage and seal, said tube and said barrier forming a fluid flow passage connecting said inflow and said outflow passages, means forming an annular chamber about said tube, a control inlet passage communicating with said chamber for applying a control fluid pressure to said chamber, said control inlet passage having an automatically variable restrictor for controlling the rate of entry of said control fluid to said chamber, and a control outlet passage communicating with said chamber for withdrawing control fluid from said chamber, said control outlet passage having pilot means for controlling the rate of withdrawal of said control fluid.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is now more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an expansible tube throttling valve; and Figure 2 is a similar sectional view showing control passages and an automatic restrictor on a larger scale.

The valve 10 as shown in Figure 1 includes a housing 11 comprising a body 20 and a cover member 28 over one end of the body. Inside body 20, in the flow passage, is a slotted cage 22 with a barrier 24, and a resilient flexible expansible sleeve 26 held in place by cover member 28. The assembly has an inflow passage 12 and outflow passage 14. The valve is operatively mounted in a fluid line 16a-16b and is held in place by the flanges of the pipeline. These flanges are drawn together to hold the valve between them by bolts one of which is shown at 18.

As depicted in Figure 1, the expansible sleeve 26 is shaped with inturned flange members 32 on either end. Sleeve 26 is pulled over cage 22, then inserted into body 20 until the flange and corresponding end of cage 22 abut shoulder 34 on outlet 14.

Cover member 28, with inlet passage 12, is made to interfit with body 20, and has a shoulder 36 adapted to engage the other end of cage 22 and the other inturned flange 32 of the sleeve 26. Suitable seal means 38 is located between cover 28 and body 20.

A chamber 30 surrounds sleeve 26. The top 40 of valve body 20 is enlarged to accommodate porting and manifold 42 which is open to chamber 30. Ports 44 and 46 connect manifold 42 to the inflow and outflow passages 12, 14 respectively by way of an automatically varying restrictor 49 and a pilot regulator 70.

With reference to Figure 2, a bore 48 in cover 28 leads from inflow passage 12 to restrictor 49 which in turn is connected to port 44. Restrictor 49 comprises a floating plug displaceable axially of bore 48, one end of said plug being tapered to co-operate with a shoulder in said bore to govern inflow of fluid to port 44. The plug has a longitudinal through bore so that upstream pressure is operatively applied to its other end to urge it towards a closed position and is spring biassed towards an open position.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the upstream pressure is transmitted through the control inlet passage constituted by bore 48 and port 44 to manifold 42 (and chamber 30), subject to restriction by the restrictor 49.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, on the outlet side of manifold 42, port 46 forms a control outlet passage having the pilot regulator 70.

Regulator 70 has a spring-biased diaphragm 72, which is acted upon by downstream pressure through port 74. Variations in this downstream pressure, which is conducted to port 74 by piping which is not shown, modify the position of the diaphragm, which is connected to a pilot valve 76 seated in a recess 78 in the top 40 of the valve body 20 by a valve stem 80, in a wellknown construction for pilot regulators. The construction of the pilot regulator, except as herein described is too well-known to require further amplification. Depending on the range of service desired, any of a number of pilot regulators can be used in the manner described herein.

A seat assembly 82 -of valve 76 is threaded into the small portion of a stepped bore 84 in the bottom of regulator 70. The bottom face 86 of the regulator seats upon the top 40 of valve body 20, and is sealed by O-ring seal 88.

Seat assembly 82 projects from the bottom of regulator 70 into recess 78 in the top of main valve body 20.

Another seal 90 seals the interface between recess 78 and seat assembly 82 in the top 40 of the main valve body.

Referring now to Figure 2, counterbore 92 of stepped bore 84 is connected to manifold 42 by outlet port 46. Around seat assembly stem 94 radial holes 96 connect this counterbore area 92 with axial ass age 98 in the seat stem 94. Valve stem Ocon- nected with diaphragm 72, projects through passage 98, with an O-ring seal 100 sealing the upper portion of the stem 80 in passage 98. Stem 80 has a reduced diameter portion 102, providing considerable clearance for flow of fluid in passage 98. On the bottom is sealing member 104 of stem 80 to engage the bottom of seat stem 94, to block flow of fluid from passage 98 when the pilot regulator 70 is in one limit position. This sealing member is retained on stem 80 by a nut 106 threaded on threaded portion 108 of stem 80.

The recess 78 in the body is sufficiently deep to allow movement of stem 80 in response to movement of diaphragm 72. In the wall of recess 78 below valve 76 is an outlet port 110 which connects the recess with outlet passage 14 downstream of cage 22. From the foregoing, it will be seen that the pressure in manifold 42 and chamber 30 is controlled in art by the pilot regulator 70, which is itself governed by the pressure downstream of the valve 10. Modifying the manifold pressure is the variable restnctor 49.

A variety of pilot controls can be used in this valve, and the manifold ports can be adjusted to suit the requirements of the different pilots. For example, the outlet port 46 from manifold 42 could enter recess 78 at the bottom, and outlet port 110 to the downstream passage 14 could connect with counterbore 92.

In operation, as demanded changes downstream, the pilot regulator 70 changes the setting of valve 76, changing the pressure in manifold 42 and control chamber 30.

Flow into chamber 30 is modified by variable restrictor 49 which acts to control inlet flow to the manifold while maintaining pressure nearly constant one substantially the entire range of flow rates if flow through valve 10 is at a minimum restrictor 49 will open fully. If load variations downstream vary the downstream pressure, the diaphragm of pilot regulator 70 will respond, as seen in Figures 1 and 2, to actuate pilot valve 76. This adjusts the pressure in manifold 42, and so the pressure acting on restrictor 49. The latter responds by restricting or increasing the flow into the inlet passage port 44 and manifold 42. If restricted as a result of decreased downstream pressure resilient sleeve 26 opens further, due to the increased pressure differential between inlet 12 and control chamber 30.On the opening of sleeve 26, increased flow takes pace, which restores the pressure downstream, which in turn moves pilot regulator 70 to a more restrictive opening of its valve 76. This in turn restricts the flow through port 46 which, in its turn, increases the pressure in manifold 42 and control chamber 30.

The increased pressure in the manifold is also transmitted to act on restrictor 49 which adjusts to the pressure increase. If restrictor 49 increases flow into manifold 42 the reverse response takes place.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A valve for regulating a flow of fluid including a housing having inflow and outflow passages for the through flow of fluid, a flexible tube of resilient material within said housing, a barrier disposed within said tube intermediate the ends thereof having a peripheral surface against which said tube is adapted to engage and seal, said tube and

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. port 44. Restrictor 49 comprises a floating plug displaceable axially of bore 48, one end of said plug being tapered to co-operate with a shoulder in said bore to govern inflow of fluid to port 44. The plug has a longitudinal through bore so that upstream pressure is operatively applied to its other end to urge it towards a closed position and is spring biassed towards an open position. From the foregoing, it will be seen that the upstream pressure is transmitted through the control inlet passage constituted by bore 48 and port 44 to manifold 42 (and chamber 30), subject to restriction by the restrictor 49. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, on the outlet side of manifold 42, port 46 forms a control outlet passage having the pilot regulator 70. Regulator 70 has a spring-biased diaphragm 72, which is acted upon by downstream pressure through port 74. Variations in this downstream pressure, which is conducted to port 74 by piping which is not shown, modify the position of the diaphragm, which is connected to a pilot valve 76 seated in a recess 78 in the top 40 of the valve body 20 by a valve stem 80, in a wellknown construction for pilot regulators. The construction of the pilot regulator, except as herein described is too well-known to require further amplification. Depending on the range of service desired, any of a number of pilot regulators can be used in the manner described herein. A seat assembly 82 -of valve 76 is threaded into the small portion of a stepped bore 84 in the bottom of regulator 70. The bottom face 86 of the regulator seats upon the top 40 of valve body 20, and is sealed by O-ring seal 88. Seat assembly 82 projects from the bottom of regulator 70 into recess 78 in the top of main valve body 20. Another seal 90 seals the interface between recess 78 and seat assembly 82 in the top 40 of the main valve body. Referring now to Figure 2, counterbore 92 of stepped bore 84 is connected to manifold 42 by outlet port 46. Around seat assembly stem 94 radial holes 96 connect this counterbore area 92 with axial ass age 98 in the seat stem 94. Valve stem Ocon- nected with diaphragm 72, projects through passage 98, with an O-ring seal 100 sealing the upper portion of the stem 80 in passage 98. Stem 80 has a reduced diameter portion 102, providing considerable clearance for flow of fluid in passage 98. On the bottom is sealing member 104 of stem 80 to engage the bottom of seat stem 94, to block flow of fluid from passage 98 when the pilot regulator 70 is in one limit position. This sealing member is retained on stem 80 by a nut 106 threaded on threaded portion 108 of stem 80. The recess 78 in the body is sufficiently deep to allow movement of stem 80 in response to movement of diaphragm 72. In the wall of recess 78 below valve 76 is an outlet port 110 which connects the recess with outlet passage 14 downstream of cage 22. From the foregoing, it will be seen that the pressure in manifold 42 and chamber 30 is controlled in art by the pilot regulator 70, which is itself governed by the pressure downstream of the valve 10. Modifying the manifold pressure is the variable restnctor 49. A variety of pilot controls can be used in this valve, and the manifold ports can be adjusted to suit the requirements of the different pilots. For example, the outlet port 46 from manifold 42 could enter recess 78 at the bottom, and outlet port 110 to the downstream passage 14 could connect with counterbore 92. In operation, as demanded changes downstream, the pilot regulator 70 changes the setting of valve 76, changing the pressure in manifold 42 and control chamber 30. Flow into chamber 30 is modified by variable restrictor 49 which acts to control inlet flow to the manifold while maintaining pressure nearly constant one substantially the entire range of flow rates if flow through valve 10 is at a minimum restrictor 49 will open fully. If load variations downstream vary the downstream pressure, the diaphragm of pilot regulator 70 will respond, as seen in Figures 1 and 2, to actuate pilot valve 76. This adjusts the pressure in manifold 42, and so the pressure acting on restrictor 49. The latter responds by restricting or increasing the flow into the inlet passage port 44 and manifold 42. If restricted as a result of decreased downstream pressure resilient sleeve 26 opens further, due to the increased pressure differential between inlet 12 and control chamber 30.On the opening of sleeve 26, increased flow takes pace, which restores the pressure downstream, which in turn moves pilot regulator 70 to a more restrictive opening of its valve 76. This in turn restricts the flow through port 46 which, in its turn, increases the pressure in manifold 42 and control chamber 30. The increased pressure in the manifold is also transmitted to act on restrictor 49 which adjusts to the pressure increase. If restrictor 49 increases flow into manifold 42 the reverse response takes place. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A valve for regulating a flow of fluid including a housing having inflow and outflow passages for the through flow of fluid, a flexible tube of resilient material within said housing, a barrier disposed within said tube intermediate the ends thereof having a peripheral surface against which said tube is adapted to engage and seal, said tube and

said barrier forming a fluid flow passage connecting said inflow and said outflow passages, means forming an annular chamber about said tube, control inlet passage communicating with said chamber for applying a control fluid pressure to said chamber, said control inlet passage having an automatically variable restrictor for controlling the rate of entry of said control fluid to said chamber, and a control outlet passage communicating with said chamber for withdrawing control fluid from said chamber, said control outlet passage having pilot means for controlling the rate of withdrawal of said control fluid.

2. The valve of claim 1, wherein said automatically varying restrictor comprises a spring-biased plug having one end tapered, said tapered end cooperating with said control inlet passage to control the rate of entry of said control fluid into said chamber.

3. The valve of claim 1 or 2, wherein said automatically varying restrictor operates in response to the differential of the pressures between said control inlet passage and said chamber.

4. The valve of claim 1 or 2 wherein said automatically varying restrictor operates in response to the rate of fluid flow through said valve.

5. The valve of any preceding claim wherein the housing has a body and a cover over one end and including cage means mounted in said housing with the flexible tube mounted between said housing and said cage means, said cage means and flexible tube being held in place in said body by said cover.

6. The valve of claim 5 wherein the cage means has inlet and outlet portions on opposite sides of the barrier with inlet and outlet openings formed respectively around the peripheries of said inlet and outlet portion, and the flexible tube has flange portions at either end overlying respectively the inlet and outlet portion of said cage means, said cage and said flange portions of said flexible tube being clamped between seating portions in the body and the cover when said cover is mounted on said body.

7. The valve of any preceding claim wherein the pilot means is a pilot valve in a passageway between the annular chamber and the outflow passage, said pilot valve having diaphragm operated control means for controlling said pilot valve in accordance with the fluid pressure in the outflow pas sage.

sae. A valve substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.