GB2405188A - Fail-safe electrically-driven valve for an engine cooling system - Google Patents

Fail-safe electrically-driven valve for an engine cooling system Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2405188A
GB2405188A GB0319427A GB0319427A GB2405188A GB 2405188 A GB2405188 A GB 2405188A GB 0319427 A GB0319427 A GB 0319427A GB 0319427 A GB0319427 A GB 0319427A GB 2405188 A GB2405188 A GB 2405188A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
valve
valve member
sealing part
valve body
electric field
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.)
Granted
Application number
GB0319427A
Other versions
GB2405188B (en
GB0319427D0 (en
Inventor
David Thomas Black
Richard Bowen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Dana Automotive Ltd
Original Assignee
Dana Automotive Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Dana Automotive Ltd filed Critical Dana Automotive Ltd
Priority to GB0319427A priority Critical patent/GB2405188B/en
Publication of GB0319427D0 publication Critical patent/GB0319427D0/en
Publication of GB2405188A publication Critical patent/GB2405188A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2405188B publication Critical patent/GB2405188B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • F16K5/00—Plug valves; Taps or cocks comprising only cut-off apparatus having at least one of the sealing faces shaped as a more or less complete surface of a solid of revolution, the opening and closing movement being predominantly rotary
    • F16K5/08—Details
    • F16K5/14—Special arrangements for separating the sealing faces or for pressing them together
    • F16K5/20—Special arrangements for separating the sealing faces or for pressing them together for plugs with spherical surfaces
    • F16K5/204—Special arrangements for separating the sealing faces or for pressing them together for plugs with spherical surfaces with the plugs or parts of the plugs mechanically pressing the seals against the housing
    • 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
    • F16K31/02—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices electric; magnetic
    • F16K31/04—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices electric; magnetic using a motor
    • 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
    • F16K17/00—Safety valves; Equalising valves, e.g. pressure relief valves
    • F16K17/36—Safety valves; Equalising valves, e.g. pressure relief valves actuated in consequence of extraneous circumstances, e.g. shock, change of position
    • F16K17/366—Safety valves; Equalising valves, e.g. pressure relief valves actuated in consequence of extraneous circumstances, e.g. shock, change of position the closure member being a movable ball
    • 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
    • F16K31/004—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices actuated by piezoelectric means
    • 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
    • F16K5/00—Plug valves; Taps or cocks comprising only cut-off apparatus having at least one of the sealing faces shaped as a more or less complete surface of a solid of revolution, the opening and closing movement being predominantly rotary
    • F16K5/08—Details
    • F16K5/22—Features relating to lubrication
    • F16K5/227—Features relating to lubrication for plugs with spherical surfaces

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Electrically Driven Valve-Operating Means (AREA)

Abstract

A valve (10) including a valve body (12), a valve member (14) and means to move the valve member (14) between a closed position in which the valve member (14) at least restricts a fluid flow path through the valve body (12), and a fully open position in which the fluid flow path is substantially unrestricted, and the valve body (12) being provided with a sealing part (20) which is engagable with the valve member (14) to provide a substantially fluid tight seal between the valve body (12) and the valve member (14), wherein the valve (10) further includes an actuator element (22) which changes in configuration in response to the application of an electric field to the actuator element (22), the actuator element (22) being configured on application or removal of the electric field to bring the valve member (14) and the sealing part (20) of the valve body (12) into or out of engagement.

Description

2405 1 88 Title: Valve
Description of Invention
The present invention relates to a valve, particularly, but not exclusively to a ball valve.
It is known to provide a engine cooling system with a valve which is operable to permit or prevent flow of coolant through the system. Such a valve is typically electrically operated, and it is necessary to ensure that if electrical power supply to the valve fails, the valve is returned to or maintained in an open configuration so that coolant can flow around the cooling system. Thus, the risk of the engine overheating in the event of power failure is minimised. In order to achieve this, it is known to configure the valve such that an electric motor drives the valve to a closed configuration against a biasing force of a spring. The spring thus returns the valve to the open configuration when the electric motor is deactivated.
Where the valve includes a valve member which is movable in a valve body between an open position in which flow of fluid along a fluid flow path in the valve is permitted and a closed position in which flow of fluid along the flow path is substantially prevented, it is necessary to provide a seal between the valve member and the valve body to at least minimise leakage of fluid through the valve when the valve member is in its closed position. As a consequence, movement of the valve member with respect to the valve body tends to cause wear on the valve member and/or the valve body, which may result in undesirable leakage of fluid past the valve member when the valve member is in its closed position.
Moreover, when a satisfactory seal is provided, there are substantial energy losses due to frictional forces between the valve member and the valve body when the valve member is moved between its closed and open positions.
Thus, where a spring is provided to return the valve member to its open position (hereinafter referred to as a return spring), the return spring must be capable of providing sufficient biasing force to overcome the frictional forces between the valve member and valve body. Similarly, in the case of an electric motor used to drive the valve member, this must not only be capable of overcome the frictional forces between the valve member and valve body, but must also have sufficient power to overcome the biasing force of the return spring.
According to a first aspect of the invention we provide a valve including a valve body, a valve member and means to move the valve member between a closed position in which the valve member at least restricts a fluid flow path through the valve body, and a fully open position in which the fluid flow path is substantially unrestricted, and the valve body being provided with a sealing part which is engagable with the valve member to provide a substantially fluid tight seal between the valve body and the valve member, wherein the valve further includes an actuator element which changes in configuration in response to the application of an electric field to the actuator element, the actuator element being configured on application or removal of the electric field to bring the valve member and the sealing part of the valve body into or out of engagement.
The electric field may be applied or removed, to ensure that the valve member is in brought into contact with the sealing part when the valve member is in its closed position, in order to provide a substantially fluid tight seal between the valve member and the valve body, and so that the valve member is brought out of contact with the sealing part whilst the valve member is moved between its closed and open positions. Thus by virtue of the invention, wear of the valve member and/or valve body as a result of movement of the valve member between its open and closed positions is reduced. Moreover, frictional forces between the valve member and the sealing part or the valve body are minimised, and hence the biasing force of any return spring, and the maximum power output of an electric motor which may drive the valve member between its open and closed positions may be reduced. As a consequence, the size, weight, and cost of the valve may be reduced.
Moreover, since a return spring is not required, it is not necessary to maintain power supply to the electric motor in order to retain the valve member in its closed position. Once the valve member reaches its closed position, power to the electric motor may be switched off until operation of the motor is required to return the valve member to its open position. Thus, power consumption by the valve may be reduced.
Preferably application of an electric field to the actuator element brings the valve member and the sealing part into engagement to provide a substantially fluid tight seal between the valve member and the valve body, and removal of the electric field from the actuator element causes or allows the valve member and sealing part to separate.
Thus, if an electrical power supply to the valve fails when the valve member is in its closed position, removal of the electrical field applied to the actuator part results in the valve member and sealing part separating so that at least some fluid may flow past the valve member. Where the valve is used in an engine cooling system, this ensures that coolant may flow around the cooling system in the event of electrical power failure, i.e. the valve fails safe in an open position, and thus the risk of the engine overheating is minimised, without the need to provide a return spring. The maximum power output of the motor used to move the valve member between its open and closed positions may thus be reduced further, since it is no longer necessary for the motor to overcome the biasing force of a return spring.
Preferably the valve member is rotatable in the valve body between its open and closed positions, in which case the valve may be a ball valve.
Preferably, the actuator element acts on the sealing part of the valve body, and thus moves the sealing part into or out of engagement with the valve member.
Preferably, the actuator part is made from a piezoelectric material In this case, the sealing part may be made at least partially from the piezoelectric material. Alternatively, or additionally, the valve member may be made at least partially from piezoelectric material.
According to a second aspect of the invention we provide a method of operating a valve according to the first aspect of the invention, the method including the steps of either applying or removing the electric field so that the sealing part is spaced from the valve member prior to operating the means to move the valve member between its open and closed positions.
According to a third aspect of the invention, we provide a method of operating a valve according to the first aspect of the invention, the method including selecting the extent to which flow of fluid along the fluid flow path is restricted by moving the valve member between its open and closed positions and applying or removing the electric field to bring the valve member and sealing part into or out of engagement. Thus, by virtue of the invention, the valve member may be moved to exert coarse control over fluid flow through the valve, and the actuator element used to exert fine control over fluid flow through the valve.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention we provide an engine cooling system including a valve according to the first aspect of the invention.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings of which, FIGURE 1 is an illustration of a valve according to the invention in a closed configuration with the actuator part energised to bring the sealing part and valve member into engagement, FIGURE 2 is an illustration of the valve of Figure 1 in a "fail safe" configuration with the actuator part de-energised to separate the sealing part and valve member, FIGURE 3 is an illustration of the valve of Figure 1 in an open configuration with the actuator part de- energised to separate the sealing part and valve member.
FIGURE 4 is an illustration of the valve of Figure 1 in an open configuration with the actuator part energised to bring the sealing part and valve member into engagement.
Referring now to the Figures there is shown a valve 10, a ball valve in this example, including a valve body 12, a valve member 14 and a motor (not shown). The valve member 14 is generally spherical and has a passage with a generally circular cross-section extending centrally therethrough. The valve body 12 also includes a passage of generally circular crosssection which has approximately the same diameter as the passage in the valve member 14, and which connects an inlet 16 and an outlet 18 of the valve 10. The valve member 14 is located in the passage in the valve body between the inlet 16 and outlet 18 of the valve 10.
The motor is operable to rotate the valve member 14 between a closed position in which the passage in the valve member 14 lies substantially perpendicular to the passage in the valve body 12, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, and an open position in which the passage in the valve member 14 lies substantially parallel to the passage in the valve body 12, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. Thus, when the valve member is in the closed position, the valve member 14 at least partially blocks the passage through the valve body 12 so that flow of fluid between the inlet 16 and outlet 18 of the valve 10 is restricted, and when the valve member is in the open position, the passage in the valve member 14 aligns with the passage in the valve body 12 and substantially unrestricted free flow of fluid between the inlet 16 and outlet 18 of the valve 10 is permitted.
The valve body 12 is provided with a sealing part 20 which is adapted to engage with the valve member 14 to provide a substantially fluid tight seal S between the valve body 12 and the valve member 14. The sealing part 20 is typically made from a resilient material such as rubber.
In this example, two generally circular sealing parts 20 are provided, and are located circumferentially around the passage in the valve body 12 on either side of the valve member 14.
The valve 10 further includes two actuator elements which are made of a piezoelectric material such as PZT, and thus change in shape and/or volume in
response to the application of an electric field.
In this example, each actuator element 22 supports a sealing part 20, and is configured such that in the absence of an electric field, each sealing part 20 is lS spaced from the valve member 14, typically with a separation of around 1- Smm. On application of an electric field to the actuator element 22, the actuator element 22 expands in a direction generally parallel to the passage in the valve body 12. This expansion brings the sealing parts 20 into engagement with the valve member 14, to provide a substantially fluid tight seal between the valve member 14 and the valve body 12.
Thus, where the valve member 14 is in its closed position and the actuator elements 22 are energised, as illustrated in Figure 1, fluid cannot flow from the inlet 16 to the outlet 18 either along the passage in the valve member 14, since the passage in the valve member 14 is generally perpendicular to the passage in the valve body 12, or around the valve member 14, since the sealing parts 22 are engaged with the valve member 14.
When the electric field to the actuator elements 22 is removed, the actuator elements 22 contract in a direction generally parallel to the passage in the valve body 12, and thus draw the sealing parts 20 away from the valve member 14. The sealing parts 20 return to being spaced from the valve member 14, and fluid can flow around the valve member 14 as illustrated in Figure 2.
Thus, although, since the valve member 14 is still in the closed position, flow of fluid from the inlet 16 to the outlet 18 of the valve 10 is restricted by the S valve member 14, some fluid flow from the inlet 16 to the outlet 18 is permitted. In other words, the valve 10 fails in a safe condition. Consequently, where the valve is used in a cooling system for an engine, if electrical power to the valve fails, the valve 10 does not completely prevent flow of fluid around the cooling system, and hence the risk of engine overheating is reduced.
If it is necessary to move the valve member 14 from its closed to its open position, the electrical power supply to the actuator elements 22 is preferably switched off, so that the sealing parts 20 are spaced from the valve member 14.
As a result, wear of the valve member 14 and/or valve body 12 as a result of movement of the valve member 14 between its open and closed positions is reduced. Moreover, frictional forces between the valve member 14 and the valve body 12 are minimised, and thus the maximum power output of the electric motor which drives the valve member 14 between its open and closed positions may be reduced. As a consequence, the size, weight and cost of the valve may be reduced.
The actuator elements 22 are also preferably de-energised when the valve member 14 is returned from its open position to its closed position.
When the valve member 14 is in its open position, and no electrical field is applied to the actuator elements 22, fluid may flow through the passage in the valve member 14 and also around the valve member 14 and illustrated in Figure 3. Thus, a maximum rate of flow of fluid between the inlet 16 and outlet 18 of the valve 10 is permitted. If desired, the flow rate may reduced slightly by applying an electric field to the actuator elements 22 to bring the sealing parts into engagement with the valve member 14, as illustrated in Figure 4, to ensure that fluid may flow through, but not around, the valve member 14.
Thus, whilst coarse control of fluid flow through the valve 10 is achieved through rotation of the valve member 14 between its open and closed positions, fine control may also be achieved by selectively energising or de- energising the actuator elements 22. Even finer control over fluid flow through the valve may be achieved by partially energising the actuator elements 22 so that the valve member 14 is spaced from the sealing parts 20, but not to its maximum extent.
It will be appreciated that the invention is not restricted to the embodiment described above. The invention may, for example, be applied to any valve which includes a valve member which is movable, whether manually or using an electric motor, in a valve body. In particular, the invention is not restricted to use in a ball valve. Moreover, the invention is not restricted to use in a valve with a single inlet and outlet, and may be applied to a valve with a plurality of inlets or outlets.
Whilst it is desirable that the sealing parts 20 should be spaced from the valve member 14 when there is no electrical power supply to the actuator elements 22 for the reasons relating to failing in a safe condition given above, it is not necessary. In other applications, it may be required to prevent flow of fluid through the valve 10 in the event of power failure, in which case it would be necessary for the actuator elements 22 to bring the sealing parts 20 into engagement with the valve member 14 when electrical power supply to the actuator elements 22 is removed.
Instead of the actuator elements 22 acting on the sealing parts 20 to move the sealing parts 20 into or out of engagement with the valve member 14, the actuator elements 22 may act on the valve member 14. For example, the valve member may be made partially or exclusively from a piezoelectric material, so that on application of an electric field to the valve member 14, the valve member 14 expands into engagement with static sealing parts 20.
The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims (15)

1. A valve including a valve body, a valve member and means to move the valve member between a closed position in which the valve member at least restricts a fluid flow path through the valve body, and a fully open position in which the fluid flow path is substantially unrestricted, and the valve body being provided with a sealing part which is engagable with the valve member to provide a substantially fluid tight seal between the valve body and the valve member, wherein the valve further includes an actuator element which changes in configuration in response to the application of an electric field to the actuator element, the actuator element being configured on application or removal of the electric field to bring the valve member and the sealing part of the valve body into or out of engagement.
2. A valve according to claim 1 wherein application of an electric field to the actuator element brings the valve member and the sealing part into engagement to provide a substantially fluid tight seal between the valve member and the valve body, and removal of the electric field from the actuator element causes or allows the valve member and sealing part to separate.
3. A valve according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the valve member is rotatable in the valve body between its open and closed positions.
4. A valve according to claim 3 wherein the valve is a ball valve.
5. A valve according to any preceding claim wherein the actuator element acts on the sealing part of the valve body, to move the sealing part into or out of engagement with the valve member.
6. A valve according to any preceding claim wherein the actuator part is made from a piezoelectric material
7. A valve according to claim 6 wherein the sealing part is made at least partially from the piezoelectric material.
8. A valve according to claim 6 or 7 wherein the valve member is made at least partially from piezoelectric material.
9. A valve substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.
10. A method of operating a valve according to claim 1, the method including the steps of either applying or removing the electric field so that the sealing part is spaced from the valve member prior to operating the means to move the valve member between its open and closed positions.
11. A method of operating a valve according to claim 1, the method including selecting the extent to which flow of fluid along the fluid flow path is restricted by moving the valve member between its open and closed positions and applying or removing the electric field to bring the valve member and sealing part into or out of engagement.
12. A method of operating a valve substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
13. An engine cooling system including a valve according to claim 1.
14. A engine cooling system substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and/or a shown in the accompanying drawings.
15. Any novel feature or novel combination of features as hereinbefore described or as shown in the accompanying drawings.
GB0319427A 2003-08-19 2003-08-19 Valve Expired - Fee Related GB2405188B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0319427A GB2405188B (en) 2003-08-19 2003-08-19 Valve

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0319427A GB2405188B (en) 2003-08-19 2003-08-19 Valve

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0319427D0 GB0319427D0 (en) 2003-09-17
GB2405188A true GB2405188A (en) 2005-02-23
GB2405188B GB2405188B (en) 2007-03-14

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Family Applications (1)

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GB0319427A Expired - Fee Related GB2405188B (en) 2003-08-19 2003-08-19 Valve

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2405188B (en) 2007-03-14
GB0319427D0 (en) 2003-09-17

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Legal Events

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732E Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977)
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20190819