GB1593260A

GB1593260A - Valves

Info

Publication number: GB1593260A
Application number: GB4783476A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: AUSTIN BEECH Ltd
Current assignee: AUSTIN BEECH Ltd
Priority date: 1977-11-15
Filing date: 1977-11-15
Publication date: 1981-07-15

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO VALVES (71) We, AUSTIN BEECH LIMITED, a British Company, of P.O. Box 10, Vimy Drive, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, 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: The invention relates to valves and more particularly to spool and sleeve valves for use in connection with the direction of fluid to control apparatus such as cylinders for machine tool operation and other industrial applications.

According to the invention there is provided a spool and sleeve valve comprising a sleeve formed of a cylindrical member formed with a separate circumferentially extending groove in the inner surface thereof in axial alignment with each inlet port, each such inlet port extending radially from the outer surface of the member to communicate with its aligned groove, a spool valve member reciprocably mounted in the sleeve and a housing surrounding the sleeve, the housing comprising two members, each formed with a semi-cylindrical portion in which the sleeve is located and formed with connector housing apertures aligned with and extending to the ports in the sleeve.

There may be a plurality of inlet ports spaced longitudinally along the sleeve and radially in alignment, and a plurality of outlet or other ports may be located, spaced longitudinally along the sleeve radially in alignment along a line diametrically opposed to the inlet ports and axially located to be offset from such inlet ports.

A buffer member may be located adjacent each end of the sleeve and located between the two housing members. Such buffer members may include integral detents.

The spool may include an indicator member or portion arranged to project into a transparent end cap adjacent one end of the sleeve in one position of the spool.

The housing members may be moulded from synthetic plastics material.

The foregoing and further features of the invention may be more readily understood from the following description of two preferred embodiments thereof, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a side sectional view of a spool and sleeve valve; Fig. 2 is an exploded end sectional view along the line A-A of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a side sectional view of an alterna tive spool and sleeve valve.

Referring firstly to Figs. 1 and 2 there is shown a spool and sleeve valve comprising a sleeve 10 within which is reciprocably mounted a spool 11 and two housing members 12 and 13 within which the sleeve 10 is located.

The sleeve 10 is formed with inlet ports 14 spaced longitudinally therealong and in radial alignment. The ports 14 do not extend completely through the sleeve 10 but communicate with respective circumferentially extending grooves 15 formed around the inner surface of sleeve 10. The ports 14 are each switched, i.e. opened or closed, by respective lands 16 formed on spool 11 when such spool is moved, in use.

The sleeve 10 is also formed with ports 17 spaced longitudinally therealong, in radial alignment along a line diametrically opposed to ports 14 but axially displaced therefrom.

The ports 17 are not switched by movement of spool 11, in use, and extend completely through the thickness of sleeve 10.

The sleeve 10 is housed in semi-cylindrical formations 18 (Fig. 2) of the housing members 12 and 13. Connector housing apertures 19 are formed in members 12 and 13 so as to align one with each port 14 and 17 and to receive fluid connectors on conduits for the passage of fluid to and from the valve.

O-rings 20 are located one around each port 14 and 17 between sleeve 10 and housing members 12 and 13. An inwardly directed flange 21 is formed at each end of each of members 12 and 13 and these serve to retain end buffer and detent members 22 (Fig. 1) in position between such flanges 21 and the respective ends of sleeve 10 with O-ring seals 23 interposed therebetween. The construction and operation of members 22 is fully described in our copending United Kingdom patent application No. 10621/76 (Serial No.

1575812).

In use the valve can be connected to operate in any one of the well known modes of operation for this configuration of valve. The grooves 15 ensure an even distribution of fluid around spool 11 at lands 16 so obviating the need for ports to be provided all around the sleeve 10 at such axial locations and obviatiing the need for complicated distribution arrangements in the valve housing, which is not utilized as a pressure chamber.

Referring now to Fig. 3 there is shown an alternative valve similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In this valve the interior surface of sleeve 10' is cut away at portions 24 so as to leave only bearing surfaces to be engaged by lands 16 of spool 11'. Since the whole of the bearing surfaces of sleeve 10' are swept by lands 16 any tendency of spool 11' to stick, due to oil or other deposits on such bearing surfaces, is reduced.

The other difference in this embodiment is that spool 11' is tubular and houses an indicator member 25 and a return spring 26. A buffer member 27 is located at one end of sleeve 10' and a combined transparent window and buffer member 28 is located at the other end of sleeve 10'.

With the valve actuated, as shown in Fig. 3, indicator member 25 projects into window member 28 and is retracted therefrom when the spool 11' is returned to the right by return spring 26.

In both embodiments the housing members 12 and 13 are preferably moulded of synthetic plastics material and in practise would be formed with apertures for clamping and fixing bolts to pass therethrough. In the Figs. 1 and 2 embodiments actuation is by pilot operation in both directions whereas in the Fig. 3 embodiment actuation is by pilot operation with spring return. Any other suitable actuation could be utilised, e.g. electromagnetic.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A spool and sleeve valve comprising a sleeve formed of a cylindrical member formed with a separate circumferentially extending groove in the inner surface thereof in axial alignment with each inlet port, each such inlet port extending radially from the outer surface of the member to communicate with its aligned groove, a spool valve member reciprocably mounted in the sleeve and a housing surrounding the sleeve, the housing comprising two members, each formed with a semi-cylindrical portion in which the sleeve is located and formed with connector housing apertures aligned with and extending to the ports in the sleeve.

2. A spool and sleeve valve as claimed in claim 1 wherein a plurality of inlet ports are spaced longitudinally along the sleeve and radially in alignment and a plurality of outlet or other ports are located, spaced longitudinally along the sleeve radially in alignment along a line diametrically opposed to the inlet ports and axially located to be offset from such inlet ports.

3. A spool and sleeve valve as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein a buffer member is located adjacent each end of the sleeve and located between the two housing members.

4. A spool and sleeve valve as claimed in claim 3 wherein each buffer member includes an integral detent.

5. A spool and sleeve valve as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the spool includes an indicator or portion arranged to project into a transparent end cap adjacent one end of the sleeve in one position of the spool.

6. A spool and sleeve valve as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the housing members are moulded of synthetic plastics material.

7. A spool and sleeve valve substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

8. A spool and sleeve valve substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig.3.

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

Claims

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

O-rings 20 are located one around each port 14 and 17 between sleeve 10 and housing members 12 and 13. An inwardly directed flange 21 is formed at each end of each of members 12 and 13 and these serve to retain end buffer and detent members 22 (Fig. 1) in position between such flanges 21 and the respective ends of sleeve 10 with O-ring seals 23 interposed therebetween. The construction and operation of members 22 is fully described in our copending United Kingdom patent application No. 10621/76 (Serial No.

1575812).

In use the valve can be connected to operate in any one of the well known modes of operation for this configuration of valve. The grooves 15 ensure an even distribution of fluid around spool 11 at lands 16 so obviating the need for ports to be provided all around the sleeve 10 at such axial locations and obviatiing the need for complicated distribution arrangements in the valve housing, which is not utilized as a pressure chamber.

Referring now to Fig. 3 there is shown an alternative valve similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In this valve the interior surface of sleeve 10' is cut away at portions 24 so as to leave only bearing surfaces to be engaged by lands 16 of spool 11'. Since the whole of the bearing surfaces of sleeve 10' are swept by lands 16 any tendency of spool 11' to stick, due to oil or other deposits on such bearing surfaces, is reduced.

The other difference in this embodiment is that spool 11' is tubular and houses an indicator member 25 and a return spring 26. A buffer member 27 is located at one end of sleeve 10' and a combined transparent window and buffer member 28 is located at the other end of sleeve 10'.

With the valve actuated, as shown in Fig. 3, indicator member 25 projects into window member 28 and is retracted therefrom when the spool 11' is returned to the right by return spring 26.

In both embodiments the housing members 12 and 13 are preferably moulded of synthetic plastics material and in practise would be formed with apertures for clamping and fixing bolts to pass therethrough. In the Figs. 1 and 2 embodiments actuation is by pilot operation in both directions whereas in the Fig. 3 embodiment actuation is by pilot operation with spring return. Any other suitable actuation could be utilised, e.g. electromagnetic.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A spool and sleeve valve comprising a sleeve formed of a cylindrical member formed with a separate circumferentially extending groove in the inner surface thereof in axial alignment with each inlet port, each such inlet port extending radially from the outer surface of the member to communicate with its aligned groove, a spool valve member reciprocably mounted in the sleeve and a housing surrounding the sleeve, the housing comprising two members, each formed with a semi-cylindrical portion in which the sleeve is located and formed with connector housing apertures aligned with and extending to the ports in the sleeve.
2. A spool and sleeve valve as claimed in claim 1 wherein a plurality of inlet ports are spaced longitudinally along the sleeve and radially in alignment and a plurality of outlet or other ports are located, spaced longitudinally along the sleeve radially in alignment along a line diametrically opposed to the inlet ports and axially located to be offset from such inlet ports.
3. A spool and sleeve valve as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein a buffer member is located adjacent each end of the sleeve and located between the two housing members.
4. A spool and sleeve valve as claimed in claim 3 wherein each buffer member includes an integral detent.
5. A spool and sleeve valve as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the spool includes an indicator or portion arranged to project into a transparent end cap adjacent one end of the sleeve in one position of the spool.
6. A spool and sleeve valve as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the housing members are moulded of synthetic plastics material.
7. A spool and sleeve valve substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.
8. A spool and sleeve valve substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig.3.