GB2376735A - A valve with a retained replaceable seat - Google Patents
A valve with a retained replaceable seat Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2376735A GB2376735A GB0115036A GB0115036A GB2376735A GB 2376735 A GB2376735 A GB 2376735A GB 0115036 A GB0115036 A GB 0115036A GB 0115036 A GB0115036 A GB 0115036A GB 2376735 A GB2376735 A GB 2376735A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- valve
- valve seat
- valve body
- piston
- cylinder
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
- F16K31/00—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices
- F16K31/12—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices actuated by fluid
- F16K31/122—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices actuated by fluid the fluid acting on a piston
- F16K31/1221—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices actuated by fluid the fluid acting on a piston one side of the piston being spring-loaded
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
- F16K1/00—Lift valves or globe valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closure members having at least a component of their opening and closing motion perpendicular to the closing faces
- F16K1/32—Details
- F16K1/34—Cutting-off parts, e.g. valve members, seats
- F16K1/42—Valve seats
- F16K1/422—Valve seats attachable by a threaded connection to the housing
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Nozzles (AREA)
- Lift Valve (AREA)
Abstract
A valve comprising a valve body 1 defining a flow passage 3 between an inlet port 4 and an outlet port 5. A valve seat member 11 is detachably mounted on the valve body 1 adjacent to the outlet port 5 and is retained in place by a retaining member 12. The valve seat member 11 is removable from the valve body 1 by removing the retaining member 12. The valve seat member may incorporate a nozzle for smooth flow or sprayed flow at the outlet. The valve seat retaining member may also have an air passage for improving atomisation. Movement of the valve member may be by a pneumatically actuated piston 8. The cylinder having the piston may have an end cap 21 with an adjustable spring abutment member 23. The cylinder may be secured to the valve body by a releasable band 10.
Description
<Desc/Clms Page number 1>
VALVE ASSEMBLY The present invention relates to a valve assembly for controlling the flow of fluid between an inlet port and an outlet port, and more particularly to a pneumatically actuated spray valve for use in the food industry.
Pneumatically actuated spray valves are known for controlling the flow of a food substance to a spray nozzle. Such devices require frequent cleaning and are subject to very high hygiene standards. Conventional valves have the disadvantage of not being readily able to be dismantled for cleaning or replacement of worn or damaged parts. Frequently the valve seat is defined by a portion of the valve body and hence replacement of the valve seat requires replacement of the entire valve body. Furthermore, completely different valves are required for spraying a fluid and dispensing a fluid, each having for different maintenance procedures and different spare parts.
According to the invention there is provided a valve for controlling the flow of fluid comprising a valve body defining a flow passage between an inlet port and an outlet port, a valve seat member defining a valve seat, the valve seat member being detachably mounted on or in the valve body adjacent the outlet port and being retained in place by means of a retaining member removably attached to the valve body, a valve member being disposed within the flow passage for movement between a first position wherein the valve member engages the valve seat and a second position wherein the valve member is spaced from the valve seat, actuating means being provided for moving the valve member between its first and second positions, the valve seat member being removable from the valve body on removal of the retaining member.
Preferably the valve seat member can be selected from at least two alternative valve seat members. At least one of the alternative valve seat members may define a spray nozzle providing a spray at an outlet thereof and/or at least one of the alternative valve seat members may provide a
<Desc/Clms Page number 2>
smooth flow of fluid at an outlet thereof. Thus, by simple replacement of the valve seat member a single valve can be used for a number of purposes.
Preferably the retaining member has a threaded portion allowing it to be screwed onto a corresponding threaded portion of the valve body such that the valve seat member can be replaced by simply unscrewing the retaining member.
Preferably the actuating means comprises a piston connected to the valve member via a valve stem, the piston being reciprocally mounted in a cylinder defined in a portion of the valve body coaxially with the outlet port, an air inlet being provided in the wall of the cylinder through which pressurised fluid such as compressed air can be supplied to urge the piston away from the outlet port and thus move the valve member towards its second position, biassing means being provided for urging the piston towards the outlet port and thus urging the valve member towards the valve seat such that the valve comprises a pneumatically actuated normally closed valve. A cap member may be removably secured to the outermost end of the cylinder, the biassing means comprising a compression spring disposed in the cylinder between the piston and a spring abutment means mounted in the cap member, the spring abutment means comprising a substantially cylindrical body having an external thread received in an correspondingly threaded aperture in the cap member such that the distance between the spring abutment means and the piston can be adjusted by screwing the spring abutment means into or out of the cap member in order to adjust the spring loading on the piston and thus on the valve member, a portion of the spring abutment extending out of the cap member such that the adjustment of the spring loading can be carried out from outside of the cap member.
The portion of the valve body defining the cylinder of the actuating means may be separable from the remainder of the valve body such that the valve member can be removed from the flow passage without removing the retaining member of the valve seat member. Preferably the portion of the
<Desc/Clms Page number 3>
valve body defining the cylinder of the actuating means and the remainder of the valve body abut each other on corresponding planar joining flanges extending normally to the axis of the valve stem, a releasable securing band being fitted over the outermost edges of the joining flanges when in abutting relationship with one another to releasably retain flanges and hence the portions of the valve body together.
The present invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :-
Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a spray valve according to the invention;
Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the valve of Fig. 1 having an alternative valve seat member and alternative retaining member fitted to allow the valve to operate as an atomising spray valve with an additional supply of atomising air;
Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the valve of Fig. 1 adapted to operate as a dispensing valve.
As shown in the drawings, the pneumatically actuated fluid control valve comprises a valve body 1 having a first portion 2 defining a fluid flow passage 3 between an inlet port 4 and an outlet port 5 and a second portion 6 defining a cylinder 7 in which is reciprocally mounted an actuating piston 8, the first and second portions 2,6 of valve body 1 abutting each other along corresponding flanged abutting surfaces having a PTFE gasket 9 trapped therebetween, a quick release clamping band 10 being positioned over the abutting flanges to releasably secure the two portions 2,6 of the valve body 1 together.
A valve seat member 11 is detachably mounted against an end face of the first portion 5 of the valve body 1 adjacent the outlet port 5 thereof and is releasably retained in place by means of a threaded retaining member or cap 12 screwed over the end of the valve body 1. A PTFE sealing gasket 13 is provided between the valve seat member 11 and the end face of the valve
<Desc/Clms Page number 4>
body 1. This arrangement allows the valve seat member 11 to be easily removed by unscrewing the retaining member 12 in order to replace the valve
n+ r% r f rinnn thim xi-qixjp nr rlp seat or to clean the valve or clea. r any blockages. The valve seat member 11 shown in Fig 1. has a narrow fluid passage 14 therethrough providing a spray of fluid at an outlet thereof when a high pressure fluid passes through the valve.
A valve stem 15 is secured to the actuating piston 8 and extends through an aperture 16 into the fluid flow passage coaxially with the outlet port 5, such that the distal end or tip 17 of the valve stem 15 can abut the valve seat in order to close the valve. The valve stem 15 passes through a PTFE packing member 18, mounted in said aperture16, which can be compressed by a packing nut (not shown) in order to provide a fluid tight seal between the fluid flow passage 3 and the actuating part of the valve body.
An air inlet 19 is provided in the wall of the cylinder 7 on the side of the piston 8 closest to the valve seat member 11 and can be connected to a source of pressurised fluid such as compressed air in order to open the valve by pushing the piston 8 and the valve stem 15 away from the valve seat.
A compression spring 20 is mounted in the cylinder 7 in the second portion 6 of the valve body 1 on the side of the piston 8 furthest from the valve seat and acts on the piston 8 in order to urge the valve into its closed position. A cap member 21 is screwed onto the free end of the cylinder 7 and has a vent aperture 22 therein so that one side of the piston 8 (the side away from the air inlet 19) is maintained at ambient pressure. A cylindrical spring abutment member 23 having an external thread is received in a correspondingly threaded aperture in the cap member 21 coaxially with the cylinder 7 and receives an end of the compression spring 20. An end portion 24 of the spring abutment member 23 extending out of the cap member 21 has a knurled surface, allowing the spring abutment member 23 to be rotated by a user in order to screw the spring abutment member 23 into or out of the cap
<Desc/Clms Page number 5>
member 21 such that the force applied to the piston 8 by the compression spring 20 can be varied by varying the distance between the spring abutment member 23 and the piston 8.
A mounting cylinder 25 is provided on the first portion 2 valve body 1 allowing the valve to be mounted on a location bar (not shown). Grub screws are provided in threaded apertures (not shown) in the mounting cylinder 25 to allow the valve to be secured onto the location bar.
In use, the valve is mounted on a location bar by means of the mounting cylinder and a source of high pressure fluid to be dispensed (usually a food product) is connected to the inlet port 4. An air hose connected to a source of compressed air via a controller and is then connected to the air inlet 19 of the cylinder 7. Compressed air at a pressure of 4 to 5 bar is suitable for most purposes. The valve can dispense/spray a fluid supplied at up to 30 bar and be opened and closed intermittently up to 120 times per minute.
Should a blockage occur of the valve simply require cleaning, the valve can be easily dismantled as follows. Firstly the air and fluid supply hoses are removed and the retaining member 12 is unscrewed to allow the valve seat member 11 and its PTFE sealing gasket 13 to be removed. If further cleaning is then required the clamping band 10 is released so that the two portions 2,6 of the valve body 1 can be separated, the valve stem 15 being removed from the fluid flow passage 3 as the first and second portions2,6 are separated from each other. The PTFE packing 18 should be replaced prior to reassembling the valve to avoid leaks. Should access to the actuating piston 8 or the compression spring 20 be required such can be obtained by simply unscrewing the cap member 21.
Where a finer spray pattern than can be provided with the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 is required, the valve of Fig. 1 can be easily adapted as shown in Fig.
2, replacing the valve seat member 11 and the retaining member 12 of Fig. 1
<Desc/Clms Page number 6>
with those shown in Fig. 2. The valve seat member 110 of Fig. 2 has a smaller outlet nozzle 130 than that of Fig. 1 and extends further from the valve body. The retaining member 120 has an additiona ! air iniet 140 and a piura'ity of air outlet nozzles 150 directed towards a central region in front of the outlet nozzle 130 of the valve seat member 110 such that, when the additional air inlet 140 is connected to a source of compressed air, high speed jets of air converge with the spray of fluid from the valve seat member 110, finely atomising the spray of fluid.
Fig. 3 shows a further adaptation of the valve of Fig. 1, where the valve is required to operate as a dispensing valve and a spray output is not required or desirable. In Fig. 3 the first portion 202 of the valve body defines a fluid flow passage 200 having a wider passage than that of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 and the valve stem 215 has a larger valve member 220 fitted to the free end thereof. The valve seat member 210 has a correspondingly larger flow passage 230 therethrough and provides a wider valve seat. The remainder of the valve assembly is identical to that of Fig. 1.
The valve can quickly and easily be converted between any of the arrangements shown in the Figs. by dismantling the relevant parts (such as the valve seat member, the retaining member and possibly the first portion of the valve body) and replacing them with the required components suitable for the application for which the valve is intended to be used.
The valve advantageously comprises smooth fluid passages having no threaded portions in communication with the fluid to be dispensed and can be constructed entirely from 316 food grade stainless steel and PTFE gaskets to satisfy food standards. Individual parts, such as the valve seat member and the valve member/valve stem, can be easily cleaned or replaced while the valve is in place. The valve is easily adaptable for a number of applications and only one set of seals and service parts will be required for a number of valves used for different purposes. By completely separating the air supply
<Desc/Clms Page number 7>
from the fluid supply blockage of the air supply passages is avoided. While the valve is particularly suited to use in the food industry it is equally suitable for use in dispensing and/or spraying pharmaceutical compounds.
Claims (11)
1. A valve for controlling the flow of fluid comprising a valve body defining f-% VCAIV%., lWi a flow passage between an inlet port and an outlet port, a valve seat member defining a valve seat, the valve seat member being detachably mounted on or in the valve body adjacent the outlet port and being retained in place by means of a retaining member removably attached to the valve body, a valve member being disposed within the flow passage for movement between a first position wherein the valve member engages the valve seat and a second position wherein the valve member is spaced from the valve seat, actuating means being provided for moving the valve member between its first and second positions, the valve seat member being removable from the valve body on removal of the retaining member.
2. A valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve seat member can be selected from at least two alternative valve seat members.
3. A valve as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least one of the alternative valve seat members defines a spray nozzle providing a spray at an outlet thereof.
4. A valve as claimed in claims 2 or 3, wherein at least one of the alternative valve seat members provides a smooth flow of fluid at an outlet thereof
5. A valve as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the retaining member can be selected from at least two alternative retaining members, one defining an air passage between an air inlet and at least one air outlet downstream of the fluid outlet of the valve seat member in order to provide greater atomisation of the fluid sprayed from the
<Desc/Clms Page number 9>
valve seat member, and one not being provided with any additional air outlets for use where greater atomisation is not required.
6. A valve as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the retaining member has a threaded portion allowing it to be screwed onto a corresponding threaded portion of the valve body.
7. A valve as claimed any preceding claim wherein the actuating means comprises a piston connected to the valve member via a valve stem, the piston being reciprocally mounted in a cylinder defined in a portion of the valve body coaxial with the outlet port, an air inlet being provided in the wall of the cylinder through which pressurised fluid, such as compressed air, can be supplied to urge the piston away from the outlet port and thus move the valve member towards its second position, biassing means being provided for urging the piston towards the outlet port and thus urging the valve member towards the valve seat such that the valve comprises a pneumatically actuated normally closed valve.
8. A valve as claimed in claim 7, wherein a cap member is removably secured to the outermost end of the cylinder, the biassing means comprising a compression spring disposed in the cylinder between the piston and a spring abutment means mounted in the cap member, the spring abutment means comprising a substantially cylindrical body having an external thread received in an correspondingly threaded aperture in the cap member such that the distance between the spring abutment means and the piston can be adjusted by screwing the spring abutment means into or out of the cap member in order to adjust the spring loading on the piston and thus on the valve member, a portion of the spring abutment extending out of the cap member such that the adjustment of the spring loading can be carried out from outside of the cap member.
<Desc/Clms Page number 10>
9. A valve as claimed in claims 7 or 8, wherein the portion of the valve body defining the cylinder of the actuating means is separable from the remainder of the valve body such that the valve member can be removed from the flow passage without removing the retaining member of the valve seat member.
10. A valve as claimed in claim 9, wherein the portion of the valve body defining the cylinder of the actuating means and the remainder of the valve body abut each other on corresponding planar joining flanges extending normally to the axis of the valve stem, a releasable securing band being fitted over the outermost edges of the joining flanges when in abutting relationship with one another to releasably retain flanges and hence the portions of the valve body together.
11. A valve substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0115036A GB2376735A (en) | 2001-06-20 | 2001-06-20 | A valve with a retained replaceable seat |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0115036A GB2376735A (en) | 2001-06-20 | 2001-06-20 | A valve with a retained replaceable seat |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0115036D0 GB0115036D0 (en) | 2001-08-08 |
| GB2376735A true GB2376735A (en) | 2002-12-24 |
Family
ID=9916971
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0115036A Withdrawn GB2376735A (en) | 2001-06-20 | 2001-06-20 | A valve with a retained replaceable seat |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2376735A (en) |
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2007123660A2 (en) * | 2006-03-31 | 2007-11-01 | Technotrans America, Inc. | A spray dampening valve having mechanical accuracy and long-term stability for use in an offset printing process |
| CN102384304A (en) * | 2010-08-31 | 2012-03-21 | 奥士奥控制阀门(上海)有限公司 | Spring air cylinder type actuating mechanism used for single-acting structure and double-acting structure |
| WO2013013797A1 (en) * | 2011-07-22 | 2013-01-31 | Festo Ag & Co. Kg | Valve module |
| EP2628390A3 (en) * | 2012-02-15 | 2013-11-06 | Mirrioter, S.L. | Water jet nozzle with air actuation |
| CN104225757A (en) * | 2013-06-14 | 2014-12-24 | 北京谊安医疗系统股份有限公司 | Pneumatic-electric linked switch and medical device with same |
Citations (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB813059A (en) * | 1955-05-25 | 1959-05-06 | Sulzer Ag | Flow control valves with replaceable seats |
| GB1184335A (en) * | 1966-03-14 | 1970-03-11 | Tech Rech S Et Inv S Bureau Et | Improvements to Fluid Control Valves |
| EP0018838A1 (en) * | 1979-05-02 | 1980-11-12 | George Aubrey Felton | Valves having removable seats |
| EP0026881A1 (en) * | 1979-10-04 | 1981-04-15 | Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft | Valve |
| US4873925A (en) * | 1988-01-19 | 1989-10-17 | Jimek International Ab | Spray nozzle and valve assembly |
| US5503180A (en) * | 1995-05-01 | 1996-04-02 | Pgi International, Ltd. | Valve having easily replaceable seat |
| EP1114955A2 (en) * | 2000-01-06 | 2001-07-11 | Smc Corporation | Two-port valve |
-
2001
- 2001-06-20 GB GB0115036A patent/GB2376735A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB813059A (en) * | 1955-05-25 | 1959-05-06 | Sulzer Ag | Flow control valves with replaceable seats |
| GB1184335A (en) * | 1966-03-14 | 1970-03-11 | Tech Rech S Et Inv S Bureau Et | Improvements to Fluid Control Valves |
| EP0018838A1 (en) * | 1979-05-02 | 1980-11-12 | George Aubrey Felton | Valves having removable seats |
| EP0026881A1 (en) * | 1979-10-04 | 1981-04-15 | Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft | Valve |
| US4873925A (en) * | 1988-01-19 | 1989-10-17 | Jimek International Ab | Spray nozzle and valve assembly |
| US5503180A (en) * | 1995-05-01 | 1996-04-02 | Pgi International, Ltd. | Valve having easily replaceable seat |
| EP1114955A2 (en) * | 2000-01-06 | 2001-07-11 | Smc Corporation | Two-port valve |
Cited By (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2007123660A2 (en) * | 2006-03-31 | 2007-11-01 | Technotrans America, Inc. | A spray dampening valve having mechanical accuracy and long-term stability for use in an offset printing process |
| WO2007123660A3 (en) * | 2006-03-31 | 2007-12-27 | Technotrans America Inc | A spray dampening valve having mechanical accuracy and long-term stability for use in an offset printing process |
| CN102384304A (en) * | 2010-08-31 | 2012-03-21 | 奥士奥控制阀门(上海)有限公司 | Spring air cylinder type actuating mechanism used for single-acting structure and double-acting structure |
| WO2013013797A1 (en) * | 2011-07-22 | 2013-01-31 | Festo Ag & Co. Kg | Valve module |
| CN103688091A (en) * | 2011-07-22 | 2014-03-26 | 费斯托股份有限两合公司 | Valve module |
| CN103688091B (en) * | 2011-07-22 | 2019-10-25 | 费斯托股份有限两合公司 | Valve module |
| EP2628390A3 (en) * | 2012-02-15 | 2013-11-06 | Mirrioter, S.L. | Water jet nozzle with air actuation |
| CN104225757A (en) * | 2013-06-14 | 2014-12-24 | 北京谊安医疗系统股份有限公司 | Pneumatic-electric linked switch and medical device with same |
| EP3002027A4 (en) * | 2013-06-14 | 2017-01-18 | Beijing Aeonmed Co., Ltd. | Pneumatic electrical switch and medical equipment provided with same |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0115036D0 (en) | 2001-08-08 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |