GB1597183A

GB1597183A - Dosabe valves

Info

Publication number: GB1597183A
Application number: GB1538378A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Assa AB
Current assignee: Assa Abloy Opening Solutions Sweden AB
Priority date: 1977-04-25
Filing date: 1978-04-19
Publication date: 1981-09-03
Also published as: DE2817805A1

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO DOSAGE VALVES (71) We, AB ASSA, a company duly organized and existing under the laws of Sweden, of 597 00 Atvidaberg, Sweden, 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 present invention relates to a dosage valve for the measurement of a determined amount of a fluid medium and conveyance thereof to a consumer, the valve comprising a valve body with a through channel which has an inlet connected to a supply conduit for the medium and an outlet connected to the consumer, said channel also accommodating, between the inlet and outlet, a dosage member sealingly slidable therein.

Such a dosage valve will hereinafter be referred to as "of the type described".

The major aspect of the present invention is to provide a dosage valve of the type described which measures absolute volume irrespective of the viscosity and counterpressure of the medium.

A further aspect of the invention is to supply the medium under a certain pressure.

thereafter increase the pressure and finallv discontinue the supply and lower the pressure to below a determined value, it being possible to effect the pressure increase in.

and supply of. the medium at any given speed.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is to make it possible to arrest the supply while discharge is in progress and thereafter continue the supply. this cycle being effected in stages.

Still another aspect of the present invention is to create absolute tightness in the discharged position and to ensure reliable recharging and rapid return.

To this end, in a dosage valve of the tvpe described, said dosage member comprises a piston which is biased by means of a spring in a direction towards the inlet, said piston having a) a chamber opening towards the inlet; b) an extension directed towards said outlet and displaying smaller cross sectional dimension; and c) a communication channel communicating said chamber with a compartment betwen the channel wall and said extension, said chamber accommodates a guide cone which is biased in a direction towards said inlet by means of a spring weaker than the spring biasing said piston, said guide cone being movable between a position in abutment against an adjustment member located at said inlet and a position in abutment against a seat at the end of said piston surrounding said chamber and facing said inlet; and said extension is sealingly insertable in a narrower section of said channel through said valve body.

The nature of the present invention and its aspects will be more readily understood from the following brief description of the accompanying drawings, and discussion relating thereto.

In the accompanying drawings: Fig. I is a longitudinal section of a first preferred embodiment of the dosage valve according to the invention: Figs. 2-4 are highly schematic longitudinal sections showing the valve according to Fig.

l in different functional positions; and Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of a second preferred embodiment of the invention.

The dosage valve according to the invention generally designated 1 in Figs. 1-4 has for its purpose to measure a determined amount of a fluid medium 2, in particular lubricant oil or the like, and convey this medium to a consumer (not shown). The dosage valve has a valve body 3 which is screwed into a connection piece 4. an O-ring 5 forming a seal between the valve body and the connection piece. The connection piece 4 has a supply conduit in the form of a through supply channel 6 which is connected to a reservoir for the fluid medium 2. The reason why the supply conduit 6 is shown as a through conduit in Fig. 1 is that it is possible to mount several dosage valves on one and the same connection piece 4, as desired.

The valve body 3 has a through channel 7 which has an inlet 8 connected to the supply conduit 6 and an outlet 9 connected to the consumer (not shown). The through channel 7 accommodates, between the inlet 8 and outlet 9, a dosage member 10 slidingly shiftable therein, this member being sealedoff against the channel wall by means of a seal 11. The dosage member 10 comprises a piston 12 which is biased by means of a spring 13 in a direction towards the inlet 8.

The piston 12 has a chamber 14 opening towards the inlet 8 and accommodating a guide cone 16 which is biased in a direction towards the inlet by means of a spring 15, this spring being weaker than the spring 13 biasing the piton. The guide cone is movable between a position in abutment against an adjustment member located at the inlet and being in the form of a set screw 17 disposed in the connection piece 4 opposite the inlet 8 of the channel 7 and adjustable in the inlet.

and a position in abutment against a seat 18 on the end of the piston 12 surrounding the chamber 14 and facing the inlet 8. Furthermore, the piston 12 is provided with an extension 19 directed towards the outlet 9 of the channel 7 and displaying smaller cross sectional dimension. the extension being sealingly insertable, by the intermediary of a seal 20, into a narrower channel section 21 of the channel 7 through the valve body 3. A non-return valve 22 is disposed between the narrower channel section 21 and the outlet 9 of the channel 7. the ball 23 of the valve being movable, under the action of a spring 24, into sealing abutment against a seat 25 surrounding the narrower channel section 21, the non return valve spring 24 being maintained under tension by a sleeve 26 mounted in the channel 7 at the outlet 9 thereof.A ring 34 is provided at the inlet 8 in order to prevent the dosage piston 12 with the guide cone 16 from being moved out of the channel 7 through the inlet 8 thereof under the action of the spring 13.

The dosage valve 1 is connected to the consumer (not shown) by means of a tube 27 which is sealingly mounted in the outlet 9 of the channel 7 by means of a sealing cone 28 and a locking sleeve 29.

The adjustment member is, as was mentioned previously. in the form of a set screw 17 into the connection piece 4 opposite the inlet 8 of the piston channel 7. the set screw being sealed-off by means of a sealing ring 30 and lockable by means of a nut 31.

As was mentioned above, the dosage valve is intended to measure a determined amount of the fluid medium 2 and convey this medium to the consumer (not shown).

As was also mentioned above, the dosage valve is connected to the supply conduit 6 which can supply the medium 2 over a certain pressure level and thereafter discontinue the supply and lower the pressure level to below a determined value.

In the initial position, the dosage piston 12 is located with the guide cone 16 in abutment against the set screw 17 under the action of the springs 13 and 15, of which the spring 13 biasing the dosage piston 12 is the stronger. The sealing 20 is held in position in the valve body 3 and the sealing 11 follows the dosage piston 12 under the action of the spring 13. The guide cone 16 seals against the seat 18 on the dosage piston 12.

When the fluid medium 2 under pressure is fed into the supply conduit 6. the dosage piston 12, with the guide cone 16 moved to sealing abutment against the seat 18 under the action of the pressure of the medium which overcomes the spring 15 of the guide cone 16. is caused to move from the above-described initial position in a direction towards the outlet 9 of the channel 7, whereby the medium 2 ahead of the area B is discharged via the outlet 9 against the action of the non-return valve spring 24.

The condition for the guide cone 16 to seal against the dosage piston 12 is that the force X, of the spring 15 biasing the guide cone.

divided by the area A be less than the force Y, of the spring 13 biasing the dosage piston 12, divided by the area B. in other words that - A B The opening pressure at the non-return valve ball 23. the outlet resistance and the friction in the sealings 11 and 20 may be neglected in an analysis of the function in principle. When the dosage piston 12 with its extension 19 has reached the sealing 2(1.

the medium 2 from the ring area B-(' is prevented from escaping through the outlet 9 of the channel 7. If the pressure in the supply conduit 6 and thereby in the inlet 8 of the channel 7 is now increased. (this pressure acting upon the area B), the pressure on the ring area B-C increases more rapidly corresponding to the ratio ki '{c The in- creased pressure on the ring area B-C is propagated via a communication channel 33 communicating the chamber 14 in the dosage piston 12 with the compartment 32 between the wall of the channel 7 and the extension 19 of the piston 12 to the surface of the guide cone 16 facing the outlet 9 ot the channel 7, or area A. Since the pressure on the area of the guide cone 16 facing the oulet 9 increases more rapidly than the pressure on the surface of the guide cone facing the inlet 8, a value will be attained at which the guide cone 16 opens intin- taneously and is returnable by the spring 15 into abutment against the set screw 17. The spring forces X and Y and the areas A, B and C, are selected such that the inlet pressure, at that moment when the guide cone 16 opens, retains the dosage piston 12 against the spring force Y by the pressure force upon the area C. Further retention force may be obtained if the outlet nonreturn valve 22 is provided with an opening pressure which is superimposed on the inlet pressure before the above-described cycle of movements occurs.When the guide cone 16 has opened, the dosage piston 12 completes a minor excess movement through the seal 20, but thereafter, no medium 2 will be forced out through the outlet 9 of the channel 7.

Thus, the dosage amount is determined by the area B and the distance of movement or stroke of the dosage piston 12.

After complete discharge (which may be registered by sensing of the terminal pressure in the supply conduit 6 or be determined by a given period of time), the supply of the medium 2 via the supply conduit is discontinued and the pressure in the inlet 9 of the channel 7 is lowered to a value at which the spring force Y overcomes the pressure acting on the area C. The dosage piston 12 then returns, under the action of its spring 13, into sealing abutment against the guide cone 16, at the same time as a new charge of medium 2 is caused to move from the inet 8 of the channel 7 to the chamber 14 of the dosage piston 12. The dosage valve is now charged for a new discharge and the inlet pressure can now once again be raised for a new dosage cycle.

Because the guide cone 16 is caused to open under the action of a differential pressure, the great advantage will be realized that recharging of the valve may be effected by one-way inlet pressure.

If desired, the dosage piston 12 may be caused to oscillate on constant supply of medium 2 within a determined pressure range by a suitable selection of spring forces and dimensional areas.

The second preferred embodiment of the dosage valve according to the invention generally designated 101 in Fig. 5 has for is object. like the dosage valve 1 according to Figs. 1-4, to measure a determined amount of a fluid medium 102, in particular lubri cant oil or the like, and convey this medium to a consumer (not shown). The dosage valve 101 has a valve body 103. which is screwed into a connection piece (not shown) an 0-ring (not shown) forming a seal between the valve body 103 and the connec tion piece. The connection piece (not shown) has a supply conduit which is con nected to a reservoir for the fluid medium 102.

The valve body 103 has a through channel 104 with an inlet 105 connected to the supply conduit and an outlet 106, connected to the consumer (not shown). The through channel 104 accommodates, between the inet 105 and the outlet 106, a dosage member 107 slidably shiftable therein, the member being sealed-off against the wall of the channel 104 by means of a seal 108 in the form of an O-ring. The dosage member 107 comprises a piston 109 which is biased by means of a spring 110 in a direction towards the inlet 105 of the channel 104. The piston 109 is provided with a chamber 111 discharging towards the inlet 105, the chamber accommodating a guide cone 113 biased by means of a spring 112 in a direction towards the inlet. The spring 112 is weaker than the spring 110 biasing the piston 109.The guide cone 113 is movable between a position in abutment against a stop located at the inlet 105 of the channel 104, the stop being adjustable and possibly being in the form of a set screw disposed in the connection piece opposite the inlet 105 of the channel 104, and a position in abutment against a seat 114 at that end of the piston 109 which faces the inlet 105 and surrounds the chamber 111.

The piston 109 has, moreover, an extension 115 directed towards the outlet 106 of the channel 104, the extension being of smaller cross-sectional dimension that the rest of the piston and being sealingly insertable in a seal 116, in the form of an 0-ring, up to a narrower channel section 117 of the channel 104 through the valve body 1()3. A nonreturn valve 118 is disposed between the narrower channel section 117 and the outlet 106 of the channel 104, the ball 119 of the valve being movable, under the action of a spring 120. into sealing abutment against a seat 121 about the narrower channel section 117. The non-return valve spring 120 is held under tension by an insert sleeve 122 disposed in the channel 104 at the outlet 1()6 thereof.

The dosage valve 101 is connected to the consumer (not shown) by means of a tube (not shown) which is sealingly mounted in the outlet 106 of the channel 1()4 by means of a sealing cone 123 and a locking sleeve 124.

A ring 125 is provided at the inlet 105 in order to prevent the dosage piston 109 with the guide cone 113 from being moved out of the channel 104 at the inlet 105 thereof under the action of the piston spring 110.

the piston spring being disposed in a compartment 126 between the wall of the channel 104 and the extension 115 of the piston 10C) and abutting with its ends against the seal 108 and 116 bv the intermediary of interposed washers 127.

As was mentioned above, the dosage valve 101 is intended to measure a determined amount of the fluid medium 102 and convey it to the consumer (not shown). As was also mentioned above, the dosage valve 101 is connected to the supply conduit (not shown) which can supply the medium 102 over a certain pressure level and thereafter discontinue the supply.

In the initial position, the dosage valve 109 is located with the guide cone 113 in abutment against the stop (not shown) under the action of the springs 110 and 112 of which, as was mentioned above, the piston spring 110 is the stronger. The seal 116 is kept in position in the valve body 103 and the seal 108 follows the dosage piston 109 under the action of the spring 110. The guide cone 113 sealingly abuts against the seat 114 of the dosage piston 109.

When the fluid medium 102 under pressure is fed into the supply conduit, the dosage piston 109 is caused, with the guide cone 113 moved to sealing abutment against the seat 114 under the action of the pressure of the medium 102 overcoming the spring 112 of the guide cone 113, to move from the above-described initial position, in a direction towards the outlet 106 of the channel 104, whereby a portion of the medium 102 in the compartment 106 upstream of the piston 109 is discharged via the outlet 106 against the action of the spring 120 of the non-return valve 118, until the extension 115 of the piston 109 has arrived at the narrower channel section 117.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention, an annular abutment 128 is disposed in the channel 104 and is located such that the guide cone 113, on insertion of the extension 115 into the seal 116 immediately downstream of the narrower channel section 117, is movable into hookengagement with the abutment 128. whereby the guide cone 113, on continued movement of the piston 109 and thereby of the extension 115 up to the narrower channel section 117, is urged out of its abutment against the seat 114 and returnable to abutment against the stop under the action of its spring 112.

After completed discharge, the supply of the medium 102 via the supply conduit is discontinued and the pressure in the inlet 105 of the channel 104 is lowered to a value at which the piston spring 110 is capable of returning the dosage piston 109 into sealing abutment against the guide cone 113, at the same time as a new charge of the medium 102 is caused to move from the inlet 105 of the channel 104 to the compartment 126 by the intermediary of the channel 111 of the dosage piston 109. The dosage valve 101 is now charged for a new discharge and the inlet pressure can once again raised for a new dosage cycle.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A dosage valve for the measurement of a determined amount of a fluid medium and conveyance thereof to a consumer, the valve comprising a valve body with a through channel which has an inlet connected to a supply conduit for the medium and an outlet connected to the consumer, said channel also accommodating, between the inlet and outlet, a dosage member sealingly slidable therein, characterised in that said dosage member comprises a piston which is biased by means of a spring in a direction towards the inlet, said piston having: a) a chamber opening towards said inlet; b) an extension directed towards said outlet and displaying smaller cross-sectional dimension; and c) a communication channel communicating said chamber with a compartment between the channel wall and said extension; that said chamber accommodates a guide cone which is biased in a direction towards said inlet by means of a spring weaker than the spring biasing said piston, said guide cone being movable between a position in abutment against an adjustment member located at said inlet and a position in abutment against a seat at the end of said piston surrounding said chamber and facing said inlet; and that said extension is sealingly insertable in a narrower section of said channel through said valve body.

2. A dosage valve as recited in claim 1, further including a non-return valve disposed between said narrower channel section and said outlet, the valve member of said valve being movable into sealing abutment against a seat surrounding said narrower channel section.

3. A dosage valve as recited in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that, when said fluid medium under pressure is fed into said supply conduit. said piston is caused, with said guide cone moved into sealing abutment against said seat under the action of the pressure of said medium overcoming the spring of said guide cone. to move from its initial position, in which said piston is located with said guide cone in abutment against said adjustment member under the action of the springs of said piston and said guide cone. in a direction towards said outlet, the medium, located in the compartment defined by the channel wall of said valve body downstream of said piston and the end of the said piston facing said outlet, opening said non-return valve and being discharged via said outlet, until said extension has entered into said narrower channel section, that, on a pressure increase in said supply conduit and. thereby, in said inlet, the pressure in said compartment between said channel wall and said extension increases. said pressure being propagated via

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Claims

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convey it to the consumer (not shown). As was also mentioned above, the dosage valve 101 is connected to the supply conduit (not shown) which can supply the medium 102 over a certain pressure level and thereafter discontinue the supply.

In the initial position, the dosage valve 109 is located with the guide cone 113 in abutment against the stop (not shown) under the action of the springs 110 and 112 of which, as was mentioned above, the piston spring 110 is the stronger. The seal 116 is kept in position in the valve body 103 and the seal 108 follows the dosage piston 109 under the action of the spring 110. The guide cone 113 sealingly abuts against the seat 114 of the dosage piston 109.

When the fluid medium 102 under pressure is fed into the supply conduit, the dosage piston 109 is caused, with the guide cone 113 moved to sealing abutment against the seat 114 under the action of the pressure of the medium 102 overcoming the spring 112 of the guide cone 113, to move from the above-described initial position, in a direction towards the outlet 106 of the channel 104, whereby a portion of the medium 102 in the compartment 106 upstream of the piston 109 is discharged via the outlet 106 against the action of the spring 120 of the non-return valve 118, until the extension 115 of the piston 109 has arrived at the narrower channel section 117.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention, an annular abutment 128 is disposed in the channel 104 and is located such that the guide cone 113, on insertion of the extension 115 into the seal 116 immediately downstream of the narrower channel section 117, is movable into hookengagement with the abutment 128. whereby the guide cone 113, on continued movement of the piston 109 and thereby of the extension 115 up to the narrower channel section 117, is urged out of its abutment against the seat 114 and returnable to abutment against the stop under the action of its spring 112.

After completed discharge, the supply of the medium 102 via the supply conduit is discontinued and the pressure in the inlet

105 of the channel 104 is lowered to a value at which the piston spring 110 is capable of returning the dosage piston 109 into sealing abutment against the guide cone 113, at the same time as a new charge of the medium

102 is caused to move from the inlet 105 of the channel 104 to the compartment 126 by the intermediary of the channel 111 of the dosage piston 109. The dosage valve 101 is now charged for a new discharge and the inlet pressure can once again raised for a new dosage cycle.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A dosage valve for the measurement of a determined amount of a fluid medium and conveyance thereof to a consumer, the valve comprising a valve body with a through channel which has an inlet connected to a supply conduit for the medium and an outlet connected to the consumer, said channel also accommodating, between the inlet and outlet, a dosage member sealingly slidable therein, characterised in that said dosage member comprises a piston which is biased by means of a spring in a direction towards the inlet, said piston having: a) a chamber opening towards said inlet; b) an extension directed towards said outlet and displaying smaller cross-sectional dimension; and c) a communication channel communicating said chamber with a compartment between the channel wall and said extension; that said chamber accommodates a guide cone which is biased in a direction towards said inlet by means of a spring weaker than the spring biasing said piston, said guide cone being movable between a position in abutment against an adjustment member located at said inlet and a position in abutment against a seat at the end of said piston surrounding said chamber and facing said inlet; and that said extension is sealingly insertable in a narrower section of said channel through said valve body.
2. A dosage valve as recited in claim 1, further including a non-return valve disposed between said narrower channel section and said outlet, the valve member of said valve being movable into sealing abutment against a seat surrounding said narrower channel section.
3. A dosage valve as recited in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that, when said fluid medium under pressure is fed into said supply conduit. said piston is caused, with said guide cone moved into sealing abutment against said seat under the action of the pressure of said medium overcoming the spring of said guide cone. to move from its initial position, in which said piston is located with said guide cone in abutment against said adjustment member under the action of the springs of said piston and said guide cone. in a direction towards said outlet, the medium, located in the compartment defined by the channel wall of said valve body downstream of said piston and the end of the said piston facing said outlet, opening said non-return valve and being discharged via said outlet, until said extension has entered into said narrower channel section, that, on a pressure increase in said supply conduit and. thereby, in said inlet, the pressure in said compartment between said channel wall and said extension increases. said pressure being propagated via

said communication channel and said chamber in said piston to the surface of said guide cone facing said outlet, whereby said guide cone is caused, in that the pressure on its surface facing said outlet increases more rapidly than the pressure on its surface facing said inlet, to open instantaneously at a certain value and is returnable by means of its spring into abutment against said adjustment member; and that the supply of said medium via said supply conduit ceases after complete discharge, whereby the pressure in said inlet falls until the spring of said piston is capable of moving said piston into sealing abutment against said guide cone, at the same time as a new charge of medium is caused to move from said inlet to said chamber, whereupon said valve is charged for a new discharge.
4. A dosage valve as recited in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said valve body is mounted on a connection piece with a passage forming a supply conduit, into which conduit opens the inlet of said channel of said valve body; and that said adjustment member is in the form of a set screw disposed in said connection piece opposite said inlet and adjustable in said inlet.
5. A dosage valve for the measurement of a determined amount of a fluid medium and for conveyance thereof to a consumer, said valve comprising a valve body with a through channel which has an inlet connected to a supply conduit for said medium and an outlet connected to said consumer, said channel accommodating, between said inlet and said outlet, a dosage member sealingly slidable therein, said member comprising a piston biased in a direction towards said inet by means of a spring with a chamber opening towards said inlet and an extension directed towards said outlet, said chamber accommodating a guide cone biased in a direction towards said inlet by means of a spring and movable between a position in abutment against a stop located at said inlet, and a position in abutment against a seat on the end of said piston surrounding said chamber and facing towards said inlet, and said extension being sealingly insertable in a seal immediately upstream of a narrower section of said channel, characterised in that, when said fluid medium under pressure is fed into said supply conduit, said piston is caused, with said guide cone moved into sealing abutment against said seat under the action of the pressure of said medium overcoming said spring of said guide cone, to move from an initial position in which said piston is located with said guide cone in abutment against said stop under the action of the springs of said piston and said guide cone, in a direction towards said outlet, a portion of the medium, located in the compartment defined by the channel wall of said valve body downstream of said piston and the end of said piston facing said outlet, opening a non-return valve located between said narrower channel section and said outlet, and being discharged via said outlet, until the extension of said piston has arrived at said narrower channel section; that said guide cone, on the insertion of said extension into the seal located immediately downstream of said narrower channel section, is movable into hook-engagement against an abutment in said channel, whereby said guide cone, on continued movement of said piston, and thereby of said extension up to said narrower channel section, is moved from its abutment against said seat and is returnable, under the action of its spring, into abutment against said stop; and that the supply of said medium via said supply conduit is discontinued after complete discharge, whereby the pressure in said inlet falls until the spring of said piston is capable of moving said piston into sealing abutment against said guide cone, at the same time as a new charge of said medium is caused to move from said inlet to said compartment, whereafter said valve is charged for a new discharge.
6. A dosage valve for the measurement of a determined amount of a fluid medium and for conveyance thereof to a consumer, constructed substantially as hereinbefore described with particular reference to Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings.
7. A dosage valve for the measurement of a determined amount of a fluid medium and for conveyance thereof to a consumer, constructed substantially as hereinbefore described with particular reference to Fig. 5 of the accompanying drawings.