GB1595930A

GB1595930A - Fluid control valve

Info

Publication number: GB1595930A
Application number: GB5204277A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Eaton Corp
Current assignee: Eaton Corp
Priority date: 1976-12-27
Filing date: 1977-12-14
Publication date: 1981-08-19
Also published as: DE2758015A1; AU3151277A; CA1079155A; FR2375523A1; JPS5385292A; AU516787B2; IT1088926B

Description

(54) FLUID CONTROL VALVE (71) We, EATON CORPORATION, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Ohio, United States of America, of 100 Erieview Plaza, Cleveland, Ohio 44114, United States of America, 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:- This invention relates to fluid control valves particularly, but not exclusively intended for use in servo-controlled vacuum systems.

Linear vacuum programmers or diverters are known in the art. One example is shown in U.S. Patent 3983930 issued to Rudolph J.

Franz. This patent shows a linear diverter valve with an elongated body and a bore extending longitudinally therein. A plurality of fluid apertures are axially spaced along the body and are in fluid communication with the bore. A diverter valve assembly is mounted within the bore; the diverter valve has sealing means at each end which seal the bore. The diverter valve also has a reduced center section which allows fluid flow within the bore between the two sealing means.

Therefore, any apertures which lie between the sealing means will be in fluid communication with each other. As the two sealing means are moved longitudinally along the bore, selected apertures can be interconnected by means of the reduced portion of the valve.

A problem arises with the prior art devices in assemblying the valve in a system. Where a plurality of devices are to be controlled by the programmer, a number of apertureconnecting nipples are placed on the valve body. The apertures and nipples are placed in proximity and, therefore, the apertures are spaced about the same distance apart as the nipples. This has created a problem in that the size of the programmer has been determined by the aperture spacing which in turn has been dictated by the size of the apertureconnecting nipples.

According to the present invention there is provided a fluid control valve comprising: (a) body means having a longitudinal bore therein, and having at least two valving apertures in fluid communication with said bore, said apertures being spaced longitudinally with respect to said bore a first distance, said body means having a plurality of longitudinally extending manifold chambers disposed exteriorly of said bore, each of said valving apertures providing fluid communication between said bore and a respective one of said manifold chambers, said body means also defining at least two fluid ports, said fluid ports being spaced longitudinally relative to said bore a second distance substantially greater than said first distance, each of said fluid ports being in fluid communication with a respective one of said manifold chambers; and (b) a plunger movable within said bore and in sealing contact therewith, said plunger being operative to valve said apertures from one side of said plunger to the other side thereof by moving a distance less than said second distance and greater than said first distance.

Accordingly it is possible within the scope of the invention to provide a linear fluid control valve programmer where the apertures, are relatively close together and the nipples for the fluid connection of the apertures to the programmer are spaced further apart than the apertures.

In a preferred embodiment a first body portion of the body means has an inlet port connected to a source of fluid pressure. The longitudinal bore and the valving apertures are formed in this first body portion. A second body portion defines the manifolds which are in fluid communication with the bore via the respective apertures. The valve plunger can be moved within the bore so as to expose the valving apertures to normal atmospheric pressure or to the operating fluid pressure maintained at the inlet port.

The movable plunger of this embodiment is provided with a single circumferential sealing lip disposed about a core. The seal is in sliding contact with the bore and provides an effective seal against the inner periphery of the bore.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic view of a linear control valve according to the invention installed in an automotive air conditioning system; FIGURE 2 is a section view of the control valve used in the system of Figure 1; and FIGURE 3 is a section view taken along section-indicating lines 33 of Figure 2.

The linear control valve 10 shown in Figure 2 will be described with reference to its function in an automotive heating and air conditioning system such as that shown in Figure 1. The linear control valve comprises a first body portion 12 which has a longitudinal bore 14 therein. The first body portion 12 has a pair of upstanding solid studs 16 which can be used to attach the programmer to the vehicle mounting structure. A plurality of port apertures 18, 20 and 22 are provided in the first body portion for communicating with the bore 14.

A second body portion 24 defines a manifold communicating with apertures 18, 20 and 22. The body portion 24 is preferably a separate member and is sealed to the first body member 12 along a seam or parting line 26 to create a pressure tight seal. The manifold is divided into separate chambers preferably by two projections 28 provided on the first body member thereby creating three manifold chambers 30, 32 and 34 between the body portions. Three nipples 36, 38 and 40 are provided for the manifold chambers and extend radially outward from the second body portion. thereby providing means to attach the control valve to external parts of the system. The nipples define, respectively, ports 37. 39 and 41, each communicating with a separate chamber or portion of the manifold.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 2, the nipples are spaced such that port 37 connects to chamber 30, port 39 connects to chamber 32, and port 41 connects to chamber 34. In the presently preferred practice. the body portions 12 and 24. as mentioned above, are formed of separate members and preferably of plastic material. With reference to Figure 3, the second body portion 24 mates with the first body portion 12 at a parting line, denoted 26, to typically form manifold chambers 30, 32 and 34, with only manifold chamber 30 being shown in Figure 3 for clarity and simplicity.

The first and second body portions 12 and 24 are joined along parting line 26 in a fluid pressure tight seal in any suitable manner, as for example by adhesives. However, the technique of .veldment by fusion using ultrasonic waves has been found particularly suitable and is the preferred method of joining the two body portions. It will be understood, however, that the first and second body portions could be formed by other arrangements, as for example, by molding the programmer in halves about a vertical line of symmetry in Figure 3 and thereafter joining the halves, or by molding the portions integrally as a one-piece unit.

A cap 42, preferably formed of foam material, is attached to one end of the first body member 12 to partially close bore 14.

An aperture 43 provided in cap 42 allows a wire 44 to pass into the bore. A plunger 46 is slidably disposed in the bore 14, and has one end of wire 44 connected thereto for effecting movement of the plunger. The plunger 46 has a core 48 and a radially resilient circumferential seal 50 provided therearound.

Movement of the wire thus causes movement of the plunger and seal 50 which connects and disconnects apertures 20 and 22 successively fluidly to the bore 14. The wire 44 can be moved by various means, a solenoid being a preferred means.

In operation, as shown, fluid pressure and typically a vacuum is supplied to nipple 36, manifold 30 and to bore 14 via aperture 18.

As a result, bore 14 from its end wall nearest aperture or inlet 18 to the plunger 46 is constantly maintained at a reduced pressure.

The apertures 20 and 22 are preferably located at a location in the first body portion 12 most remote from the inlet aperture 18, and are closely spaced for quick valving with minimal movement of plunger 46. Manifolds 32 and 34 are thus shaped so as to permit greater spacing between nipples 38 and 40 for ports 39, 41 than the spacing between ports 20 and 22. For example, in the presently preferred embodiment the apertures 20 and 22 are spaced about 1/32 of an inch apart while the nipples are spaced 3/10 of an inch apart. This configuration allows easy switching or valving of ports 20, 22 and yet permits easy assembly. As a further refinement, the ports 20, 22 can be disposed in the lower wall of body member 12 at an angle. If the ports are disposed at a converging angle, the portions of the ports at the base 14 can be closer together than the portions of the ports at the manifolds 32. 34. This allows an even greater spacing differential between the valving ports 20, 22 and the nipples.

To provide a further understanding of the linear programmer's operation. Figure 1 shows a tpical automotive air conditioning system with the programmer 10 shown installed in the system.

In general, such systems have a housing (not shown) containing a plenum which is mounted in the vehicle. The plenum is defined by a plurality of ducts which can be opened or closed in predetermined sequences to feed heated, cooled, blended or fresh air into the passenger compartment. A blower is normally associated with the plenum to move the air into the passenger compartment. The exact plenum and blower arrangement is dictated by design considerations of the vehicle to which the plenum is attached.

In the system shown in Figure 1, a multifunctional blend servomotor 60 is in vacuum connection with a temperature sensor 62 so that changes in temperature will cause sensor 62 to vary a vacuum signal to servomotor 60 to activate the blend motor.

The servomotor 60 has output actuator thereof operatively connected to the wire 44 of linear programmer 10 for moving the plunger 46 to cover and uncover apertures 20 and 22.

In the system of Figure 1, the linear control valve 10 port vacuum to a vacuum operated water valve servomotor 66 which controls a flow of heater water through a heater core in response to vacuum signal from port 40.

Nipple 38 is connected by a vacuum line to a selector or distributor 68 which is used to set the desired cycle of heating and air conditioning. The selector 68 in combination with the linear programmer 10 controls flow directing doors which direct air flow within the plenum.

In general, the doors 70, 72 function in a manner well known in the art. The recirculating fresh air door 70 controls the circulation of air into the plenum from outside the vehicle or from the passenger compartment.

A temperature blend door, not shown, controls a flow of blended air within the plenum and a by pass door, not shown, controls the flow of cooled air through the plenum. The blend door and by pass door are controlled by the blend servomotor 60.

A panel/defrost door 72 governs the flow of heated or cooled air to the defrosters or air conditioning panels and a floor door 74 controls the flow of conditioned air to upper or lower parts of the vehicle passenger compartment.

The workings of the automotive air conditioning system are well known to those skilled in the art, and a detailed explanation is omitted in the interest of brevity. Further detailed description of such systems can be found in U.S. Patent 3,983,930 issued -to Franz. especially columns 3---10, and U.S.

Patent 3.856.045 issued to Kenny, Et Al, especially columns 3-8.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: I. A fluid control valve comprising: (a) body means having a longitudinal bore therein, and having at least two valving apertures in fluid communication with said bore, said apertures being spaced longitudinally with respect tosaid bore a first distance, said body means having a plurality of longitudinally extending manifold chambers disposed exteriorly ofjsaid bore, each of said vaIving apertures providing fluid communication between said bore and a respective one of said manifold chatribers, said body means also defining at least two fluid ports, said fluid ports being spaced longitudinally relative to said bore a second distance substantially greater than said first distance, each of said fluid ports being in fluid communication with a respective one of said manifold chambers; and (b) a plunger movable within said bore and in sealing contact therewith, said plunger being operative to valve said apertures from one side of said plunger to the other -side thereof by moving a distance :less than said second distance and greater than said first distance.

2. A fluid control valve according to claim 1 wherein said body means includes a first body portion in which are formed said bore and said valving apertures, and a second body means which are formed said fluid ports, said first and second body means being mutually attached with respective adjacent surfaces thereof defining said plurálity of manifold chambers.

3. A fluid control valve according to claim 2 wherein said first and second body portions aresmutually attached on a substantially planar parting line.

4. A fluid cnntrnl valvR zording to any preceding claim whercin said valve apertures are located intermediate said fluid ports longitudinally with respect to said bore.

5. A fluid control valve according to any preceding claim, wherein said plunger is provided with a single sealing lip circumferentially disposed about a core, said:lip being in sliding contact with the wall nf said hore.

6. A fluid control valve according to any preceding claim wherein said manifold chambers and said fluid ports are circumfer- entially aligned with hespect.toa longitudinal axis through said bore.

7. A fluid control valve substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.

8. A fluid control valve in an air condi- tioning system system substantially as kere- inbefore described with refewnce to the accompanying drawings.

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

Claims

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

shows a tpical automotive air conditioning system with the programmer 10 shown installed in the system.

In general, such systems have a housing (not shown) containing a plenum which is mounted in the vehicle. The plenum is defined by a plurality of ducts which can be opened or closed in predetermined sequences to feed heated, cooled, blended or fresh air into the passenger compartment. A blower is normally associated with the plenum to move the air into the passenger compartment. The exact plenum and blower arrangement is dictated by design considerations of the vehicle to which the plenum is attached.

In the system shown in Figure 1, a multifunctional blend servomotor 60 is in vacuum connection with a temperature sensor 62 so that changes in temperature will cause sensor 62 to vary a vacuum signal to servomotor 60 to activate the blend motor.

The servomotor 60 has output actuator thereof operatively connected to the wire 44 of linear programmer 10 for moving the plunger 46 to cover and uncover apertures 20 and 22.

In the system of Figure 1, the linear control valve 10 port vacuum to a vacuum operated water valve servomotor 66 which controls a flow of heater water through a heater core in response to vacuum signal from port 40.

Nipple 38 is connected by a vacuum line to a selector or distributor 68 which is used to set the desired cycle of heating and air conditioning. The selector 68 in combination with the linear programmer 10 controls flow directing doors which direct air flow within the plenum.

In general, the doors 70, 72 function in a manner well known in the art. The recirculating fresh air door 70 controls the circulation of air into the plenum from outside the vehicle or from the passenger compartment.

A temperature blend door, not shown, controls a flow of blended air within the plenum and a by pass door, not shown, controls the flow of cooled air through the plenum. The blend door and by pass door are controlled by the blend servomotor 60.

A panel/defrost door 72 governs the flow of heated or cooled air to the defrosters or air conditioning panels and a floor door 74 controls the flow of conditioned air to upper or lower parts of the vehicle passenger compartment.

The workings of the automotive air conditioning system are well known to those skilled in the art, and a detailed explanation is omitted in the interest of brevity. Further detailed description of such systems can be found in U.S. Patent 3,983,930 issued -to Franz. especially columns 3---10, and U.S.

Patent 3.856.045 issued to Kenny, Et Al, especially columns 3-8.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: I. A fluid control valve comprising: (a) body means having a longitudinal bore therein, and having at least two valving apertures in fluid communication with said bore, said apertures being spaced longitudinally with respect tosaid bore a first distance, said body means having a plurality of longitudinally extending manifold chambers disposed exteriorly ofjsaid bore, each of said vaIving apertures providing fluid communication between said bore and a respective one of said manifold chatribers, said body means also defining at least two fluid ports, said fluid ports being spaced longitudinally relative to said bore a second distance substantially greater than said first distance, each of said fluid ports being in fluid communication with a respective one of said manifold chambers; and (b) a plunger movable within said bore and in sealing contact therewith, said plunger being operative to valve said apertures from one side of said plunger to the other -side thereof by moving a distance :less than said second distance and greater than said first distance.
2. A fluid control valve according to claim 1 wherein said body means includes a first body portion in which are formed said bore and said valving apertures, and a second body means which are formed said fluid ports, said first and second body means being mutually attached with respective adjacent surfaces thereof defining said plurálity of manifold chambers.
3. A fluid control valve according to claim 2 wherein said first and second body portions aresmutually attached on a substantially planar parting line.
4. A fluid cnntrnl valvR zording to any preceding claim whercin said valve apertures are located intermediate said fluid ports longitudinally with respect to said bore.
5. A fluid control valve according to any preceding claim, wherein said plunger is provided with a single sealing lip circumferentially disposed about a core, said:lip being in sliding contact with the wall nf said hore.
6. A fluid control valve according to any preceding claim wherein said manifold chambers and said fluid ports are circumfer- entially aligned with hespect.toa longitudinal axis through said bore.
7. A fluid control valve substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
8. A fluid control valve in an air condi- tioning system system substantially as kere- inbefore described with refewnce to the accompanying drawings.