GB2094943A

GB2094943A - A coupling nipple for a valve especially a radiator valve

Info

Publication number: GB2094943A
Application number: GB8206098A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Danfoss AS
Current assignee: Danfoss AS
Priority date: 1981-03-02
Filing date: 1982-03-02
Publication date: 1982-09-22
Also published as: DE3107929A1; SE445380B; DK81382A; CA1187061A; FR2500906B1; SE8200821L; DE3107929C2; GB2094943B; FR2500906A1

Abstract

A coupling nipple for connecting fluid flow components has a throughflow passage in which is mounted an adjustable throttle means (111, 112), the wall of the nipple body being provided with a setting aperture (109) through which the throttle means is accessible for adjustment to vary the effective cross-section of the passage, a seal (116) being provided for sealing the aperture from the passage. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A coupling nipple for a valve, especially a radiator valve This invention relates to a connecting nipple for a valve, particularly a radiator valve, comprising a nipple body which has a throughflow passage, an external screwthread at one end and at the other end an insert section with an annular abutment face projecting beyond the screwthread diameter.

Such connecting nipples are generally known.

they are screwed with their external thread into an adjacent member such as a pipe conduit and connected with the connecting nipple of the valve by a cap nut engaging over the insert section.

Also known is a radiator valve (DE-PS 894 180) which comprises a built-in throttle element. With the aid of this, the flow resistance with the valve fully open can be set so that, in the case of branched pipe conduits, the branch containing this valve receives the desired amount of heating liquid. The throttle element is provided with two cylindrical pins which sealingly engage through complementary apertures of the valve housing. One pin has two holes for engaging a tool so that the throttle element is adjustable from the outside. This permits the optimum operating setting to be selected even after installation.

However, such a valve is expensive because of the additional pre-setting facility.

In many, but not all cases, a cheaper valve without a throttle element for pre-setting will be quite sufficient. Valve manufacturers are therefore compelled to produce two different types of valve and to keep them in stock. In addition, valves with pre-setting are often somewhat larger than valves without pre-setting so that the available space makes their installation difficult.

The invention is based on the problem of showing how rational valve manufacture is possible even though valves are to be offered with and without pre-setting and without requiring a large installation space when using the pre-setting facility.

This problem is solved according to the invention by an adjustable throttle element which is connected to an actuating member and is disposed in the throughflow passage, a setting aperture which is disposed in the nipple body between the external screwthread and the insert section and through which the throttle element is accessible for adjustment, and a seal sealing said setting aperture from the throughflow passage.

It is now possible to make and stock one valve type without pre-setting in very large numbers and therefore cheaply. If the valve is required without pre-setting, the normal connecting nipple is used but of a valve with pre-setting is required, use is made of the connecting nipple according to the invention The installation space for both versions is practically the same. Since the dimensions of the new connecting nipple can correspond to a normal connecting nipple, it is also possible to convert at little cost an existing installation without pre-setting facility into one with presetting facility. Since such means have remained unaltered for many decades, this is also possible for very old installations.The special position of the setting aperture makes it possible to undertake adjustment of the throttle element even if the nipple is fixed in position, i.e. both its end portions are not accessible.

It is particularly favourable if the actuating member is disposed within the screwthread diameter. In this way, the cap nut can be pushed over on site in the same way as with a normal connecting nipple, i.e. it need not be applied to the connecting nipple during manufacture.

In a preferred embodiment, provision is made for the nipple body to have a transverse wall with a non-centrally arranged fixed flow aperture and for a rotatable insert coaxial with the nipple axis comprising a throttle element in the form of an end wall which lies against the transverse wall and has a rotatable flow aperture co-operating with the fixed flow aperture and an actuating member in the form of a substantially cylindrical extension having formations at the external circumference for engaging a tool. Together with the transverse wall, the end wall forms a rotary valve in which the two flow apertures are in registry to a different extent. The cylindrical extension provides a good guide for the insert in the nipple body. The formations are easily reached through the setting aperture. Markings on these formations are clearly visible.The production is particularly simple if the fixed as weli as the rotatable flow aperture is an eccentric hole. However, other shapes of flow passages are feasible, for example, two partannular apertures.

Desirably, the formations are differently spaced circumferentially. This ensures that, despite the non-linear values of such a throttle, the differences between successive set values will always correspond to a constant difference of the throughflow quantity of the valve fully open.

The seal desirably comprises two sealing rings extending along the circumference of the insert at both sides of the setting aperture. Since the setting aperture can be narrow, there is no difficulty in providing these sealing rings to both sides of the formation.

In another embodiment, the throttle element is a transverse wall rotatable about an axis transverse to the nipple axis.

In this case it is advisable for the actuating member to project into the setting aperture and have a formation at the end for engaging a tool and for the seal to be formed by a sealing ring disposed between a cylindrical section of the setting aperture and a cylindrical section of the actuating member. This, again, permits the requirement to be met that no parts are disposed beyond the screwthread diameter.

To enable the actuating member to be conveniently received in this manner, the rotatable transverse wall may co-operate with an axial bore of the nipple body that extends along the side of the nipple axis opposite to the setting aperture.

Further, it is possible for the throttle element to have a position in which the flow passage is completely closed. One can therefore also block the corresponding valve connection.

The present invention also provides a coupling nipple for connecting fluid flow components, the nipple having a throughflow passage in which is moulted an adjustable throttle means, the wall of the niDple bot V being provided with a setting aperture through which the throttle means is accessible for adjustment to vary the effective cross-section of the passage, a seal being provided for sealing the aperture from the passage.

Three coupling nipples, each constructed in accordance with the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:- Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section through a first coupling nipple; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the coupling nipple shown in Fig. 1 to a smaller scale; Fig. 3 is a section on the line Ill-Ill in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section through a second coupling nipple, and Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section through a third coupling nipple.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the connecting nipple of Figs. 1 to 3 comprises a nipple body 1 with a cavity 2 serving as a throughflow passage, an external screwthread 3 and an insert section 4 with an annular abutment face 5 which projects beyond the diameter of the external screwthread 3. Within the insert section there is an internal hexagon 6 so that the external screwthread 3 of the connecting nipple can be screwed into the internal screwthread of an adjacent member. The insert section 4 serves for insertion in a connecting nipple of a valve, it being possible to clamp both parts together by means of a cap nut having an internal flange which abuts the annular abutment face 5. The nipple body 1 also has a transverse wall 7 with an eccentric throughflow aperture 3 of a hole. Further, a setting aperture 9 is provided at the circumference.

Inserted in the cavity 2 there is an insert 10 consisting of a throttle element 11 and an actuating member 1 2. The throttle element is formed by an end wall with an eccentric flow aperture 32 of a hole and the actuating element is formed by a cylindrical extension with formations 13 at the circumference in the form of axial grooves for engaging a tool 14. The insert is heid against the transverse wall 7 by a clamping plate 1 5. At both sides of the setting aperture 9 there is a respective sealing ring 16 or 1 7 with an associated supported ring 1 8 or 1 9.

The tool 1 4 shown in Fig. 3 is a key with a bent head 20 and a radial tooth 21 which can engage in one of the formations 1 3 through the setting aperture 9. If the tool 13 is swung to rest on the nipple body 1, the insert 10 will turn whereby the rotatable flow aperture 32 will register with the fixed flow aperture 8 to a greater or less extent.

The formations 13 are differently spaced circumferentially. In this way, the rotary angle up to reaching the end face 22 of the setting aperture 9 will be the largest on first engagement of the tool 14 as illustrated and it will be reduced with every further engagement of the tool. This ensures that, with each engagement of the tool, the setting will bring about a defined but always constant change in the throughflow with the valve fully open. In addition, a marking 23 is provided on the nipple body for co-operating with a marking 24 on the insert 10 so that the setting can be read off.

The entire dimensions of this nipple body 1 correspond to those of a normal nipple.

In the Fig. 4 embodiment, corresponding parts have the same reference numerals increased by 100. An axial bore 125 is provided in the nipple body 101 beyond the nipple axis. There is also a bore 126 perpendicular thereto, of which the upper end forms the setting aperture 109. An insert 110 is introduced in the bore 126 radially and is fixed in an annular groove 123 by spring arms 1 27. The insert 110 consists of a throttle element 111 in the form of a rectangular wall radial to the axis of the bore 126 and an actuating member 112 which is disposed in the setting aperture 109 and provided with a formation 11 3 in the form of an internal hexagon for engaging a tool.A sealing ring 11 6 is disposed between a cylindrical section 129 of the bore 126 and a cylindrical section 1 30 of the actuating member.

The band-shaped throttle element 111 can have a guide plate 131 at the bottom.

In this embodiment, the throttle element 111 blocks the passage through the connecting nipple in the iliustrated position. By turning the actuating member 112, the throttle element can be brought to desired angular positions until it frees the largest cross-section through the axial bore 1 25 when it is positioned parallel to the nipple axis.

In the Fig. 5 embodiment, corresponding parts are designated with the same reference numerals increased by 200. In this case, the throttle element 211 is in the form of a circular disc which carries a sealing ring 232 at the rim and is securely seated on a shank 233 of an actuating member 212. The shank 233 is at an acute angle to the perpendicular of the nipple axis. The throttle element 211 is secured to the shank 233 offset by the same angle. By turning the actuating element 212 through 1800, the bore 225 is therefore sealed. By setting any desired intermediate positions, different flow sections are obtained.

The material of the nipple body can be brass.

The throttle element can likewise be of brass or some other metal. However, plastics bodies are also feasible.

Claims

1. A coupling nipple for connecting fluid flow components, the nipple having a throughflow passage in which is mounted an adjustable throttle means, the wall of the nipple body being provided with a setting aperture through which the throttle means is accessible for adjustment to vary the effective cross-section of the passage, a seal being provided for sealing the aperture from the passage.

2. A coupling nipple as claimed in claim 1, in which the nipple has a shoulder at one end and an external screwthread at the other end.

3. A coupling nipple as claimed in claim 2, in which the throttle means is disposed completely within the minor cone or cylinder of the screwthread.

4. A coupling nipple as claimed in any one of claims 1-3, in which the nipple has a transverse wall extending across the passage, the wall having a fixed fluid flow aperture, the throttling means comprising a member rotatably mounted in the nipple and having an aperture which is cooperable with the fixed aperture so that turning the throttle member varies the registration between the two apertures, the apertured member being connected to an actuating member which is rotatably mounted in the nipple and which has engaging means on its outer periphery which are engageable by a tool passed through the setting aperture to turn and set the position of the actuating member.

5. A coupling nipple as claimed in claim 4, in which the aperture in the wall and the apertured member have axes which are parallel to the axis of the nipple.

6. A coupling nipple as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the engaging means comprises a plurality of abutments which are spaced apart around the circumference of the actuating member, the circumferential facing between adjacent abutments progressively increasing in a clockwise or anticlockwise direction.

7. A coupling nipple as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6, in which the actuating member is provided with two sealing rings between which the setting aperture is provided.

8. A coupling nipple as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the throttle means comprises an obturating member rotatably mounted in the nipple about an axis transverse to the axis of the nipple, the obturating member defining with the wall of the passage an opening of variable cross-section.

9. A coupling nipple as claimed in claim 8, in which the setting aperture is defined by a cylindrical opening in the wall of the neck portion, the obturating member being connected to an actuating member rotatably mounted in that opening, a sealing ring being provided between the actuating member and the wall of the opening and the actuating member having means for receiving a tool passed into the setting aperture.

10. A coupling nipple as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, in which the obturating member defines the variable opening with a part of the passage having its axis parallel to the axis of the nipple and disposed to that side of the axis opposite to the setting aperture.

11. A coupling nipple as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, in which the throttling means is such that in one position the flow passage is completely closed.

12. A connecting nipple for a valve, particularly a radiator valve, comprising a nipple body which has a throughflow passage, an external screwthread at one end and at the other end an insert section with an annular abutment face projecting beyond the screwthread diameter, characterised by an adjustable throttle element which is connected to an actuating member and is disposed in the throughflow passage, a setting aperture which is disposed in the nipple body between the external screw thread and the insert section and through which the throttle element is accessible for adjustment, and a seal sealing said setting aperture from the throughflow passage.

13. A coupling nipple substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in Figs. 1 to 3 or Fig. 4 or Fig. 5 of the accompanying drawings.