GB2592593A - A valve and a pump system - Google Patents

Abstract

A ball check valve comprises an inlet 110, an outlet 120 disposed in a first direction 130 from the inlet, a valve cavity 140 extending between the inlet and outlet, and a ball 150. The valve cavity 140 comprises a free space (160, Fig. 3B) coupled to the inlet 110 in which the ball can move, and a restricted space 170 coupled to the outlet 120 which the ball cannot enter. The restricted space 170 restricts the ball 150 to move linearly within the free space160 only, between a first position in which the ball blocks the inlet 110 from the restricted space 170, and a second position within the cavity 140 in which the ball does not block the inlet 110 from the restricted space 170. The linear motion of the ball 150 is parallel to the first direction 130.

Description

TITLE

A Valve and a Pump System

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a valve and a pump system Some relate to a valve and pump system in sewage and/or food waste treatment/processing systems

BACKGROUND

Check valves, also known as non-return valves, have been used in sewage and/or food waste treatment/processing systems in conjunction with pumps to provide one-way movement of material such as sewage and/or food waste from one location to another location in the treatment/processing system.

A check valve has an inlet and outlet and a ball. The inlet and outlet are disposed longitudinally with respect to each other. The ball can move between a position in which it blocks the inlet to prevent longitudinal flow of material through the valve from the inlet to the outlet or vice versa and another position in which it does not block the inlet and so allows material to flow longitudinally from the inlet to the outlet or vice versa.

The check valve can be connected at its inlet to a cylinder of a pump, where the pump has a piston which is moveable within the cylinder to change the pressure within the cylinder. When the piston is on its upstroke the inlet of the check valve is closed as the decrease in pressure causes the ball to sit against the inlet of the check valve and so prevents material flowing through the valve. On the upstroke of the piston, the pump can draw in material into the cylinder from piping connected to the cylinder due to the decrease in pressure in the cylinder. When the piston is on its downstroke, this causes an increase in pressure in the piping connected to the inlet of the check valve and this increase in pressure causes the ball to move from the inlet and along a channel within the valve. The channel protrudes diagonally and vertically from the longitudinal piping between the inlet and outlet so that when the ball moves along the channel this causes vertical movement of the ball with respect to the longitudinal flow path between the inlet and the outlet. Therefore the ball moves at least partially vertically out of the flow path, which enables material to flow longitudinally from the inlet through to the outlet and out the valve.

It has been found with such check valves that when it is time for the ball to return to the position in which it is blocking the inlet, for instance on the next upstroke of the pump, there is a delay in the ball moving from its higher position in which it is partially above the flow path to the position in which it is blocking the inlet. This happens because the ball tends to have buoyancy due to the dense material which tends to flow though such valves in sewage and/or food waste treatment/processing systems. If the ball doesn't move quickly to block the inlet, the pump draws in extra material on the upstroke of the piston from the piping connected to the check valve. As the pump is trying to draw in material from other piping not connected to the check valve on its upstroke, this leads to inefficiencies in the pump.

In another situation where the check valve is arranged to open so that the ball is not blocking the inlet on the upstroke of a piston to allow material to flow through the valve longitudinally from the inlet to the outlet and into the valve there is also a similar problem. In this situation if the ball remains in the vertical position after the upstroke of the piston and for a significant portion of the next downstroke of the piston instead of closing the valve quickly, this causes material to be pumped back through the valve from the outlet to the inlet and out of the inlet before the valve eventually closes which leads to inefficiencies in the pump.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments there is provided a valve comprising: an inlet, an outlet disposed in a first direction from the inlet, a valve cavity extending between the inlet and outlet, a ball, wherein the valve cavity comprises a free space, coupled to the inlet, in which the ball can move and a restricted space, coupled to the outlet, which the ball cannot enter; wherein the restricted space restricts the ball to move linearly within the free space only, between a first position in which the ball blocks the inlet from the restricted space and a second position within the cavity in which the ball does not block the inlet from the restricted space, wherein the linear motion of the ball is parallel to the first direction.

In some, but not necessarily all examples, the maximum width of the cavity, perpendicular to the first direction, is at least two times the diameter of the ball.

In some, but not necessarily all examples, the maximum width of the cavity is located centrally between the inlet and the outlet.

In some, but not necessarily all examples, when the ball is in the second position, the flow path of material which flows through the valve from the inlet is bifurcated by the ball, wherein the two flow paths rejoin after passing the ball before reaching the outlet.

In some, but not necessarily all examples, the height of cavity in the restricted space is less than the diameter of the ball, wherein the height of the cavity is perpendicular to the first direction and the width of the cavity.

In some, but not necessarily all examples, the height of at least a portion of the cavity in the free space is greater than the diameter of the ball.

In some, but not necessarily all examples, the floor of the cavity comprises a first guide and the ceiling of the cavity comprises a second guide, wherein at least portions of the first guide and second guide extend parallelly with respect to the first direction, wherein the first guide and the second guide are configured to guide the ball to move between the first position and the second position.

In some, but not necessarily all examples, the first guide and second guide each have a first end, wherein the first ends prevent the ball moving further in the first direction when the ball is at the second position.

In some, but not necessarily all examples, the ball is positioned centrally between the inlet and outlet when the ball is in the second position.

In some, but not necessarily all examples, the valve comprises a removable lid, wherein the lid forms part of the cavity.

In some, but not necessarily all examples, the valve comprises an aperture, closable by the lid, wherein the aperture is sized to enable removal of the ball from the valve.

In some, but not necessarily all examples, the lid comprises at least a portion of the second guide including the first end of the second guide.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments there is provided a sewage and/or food waste valve, comprising the valve of any of the preceding twelve 10 paragraphs.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments there is provided a sewage and/or food waste system, comprising the valve of any of the preceding thirteen paragraphs.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments there is provided a pump system, comprising: a pump comprising a piston and cylinder, wherein the piston is configured to move in the cylinder; a first valve according to any of the preceding fourteen paragraphs, connected to the pump by first piping connected to the outlet of the first valve; a second valve according to any of the preceding fourteen paragraphs, connected to the pump by second piping connected to the inlet of the second valve; wherein on the upstroke of the piston, the pressure in the first piping and second piping decreases, causing the ball in the first valve to move to the second position and the ball in the second valve to move to the first position, thereby enabling material to flow from the inlet of the first valve to the outlet of the first valve through the first piping and into the cylinder, and wherein on the downstroke of the piston, the pressure in the first piping and second piping increases, causing the ball in the first valve to move to the first position and the ball in the second valve to move to the second position, thereby enabling the material to flow from the cylinder through the second piping to the inlet of the second valve and out of the outlet of the second valve.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments there is provided a valve comprising: an inlet an outlet, a valve cavity extending between the inlet and outlet, a ball, wherein the valve cavity comprises a free space in which the ball can move and a restricted space in which the ball cannot enter, wherein the restricted space partially surrounds the free space; wherein the free space restricts the ball to move in a longitudinal direction only between a first position in which the ball blocks the inlet and a second position within the cavity.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments there is provided examples as claimed in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Some examples will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1A shows an example of the subject matter described herein; FIG. 1B shows an example of the subject matter described herein; FIG. 2A shows an example of the subject matter described herein; FIG. 2B shows an example of the subject matter described herein; FIG. 3A shows an example of the subject matter described herein; FIG. 3B shows an example of the subject matter described herein; FIG. 4 shows an example of the subject matter described herein; FIG. 5 shows an example of the subject matter described herein; FIG. 6 shows an example of the subject matter described herein; FIG. 7 shows an example of the subject matter described herein; FIG. 8A shows an example of the subject matter described herein; FIG. 8B shows an example of the subject matter described herein;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B illustrate a horizontal cross section of an example valve 100. The valve comprises an inlet 110, an outlet 120. The outlet 120 is disposed in a first direction 130 from the inlet 110. The valve 100 also comprises a cavity 140 which extends between the inlet 110 and the outlet 120. As shown in later figures, the cavity is an enclosed space except for the inlet 110 and the outlet 120, so that the only possible flow of material such as sewage and/or food waste is restricted to between the inlet and outlet or vice versa.

The valve 100 also comprises a ball 150, which is restricted to move within a free space 160 and is restricted from entering a restricted space 170. The free space 160 is coupled to the inlet 110 and the restricted space 170 is coupled to the outlet 120. The dashed lines in FIG. 1A and FIG. 18 demarcate the boundary between the free space 160 and the restricted space 170.

The restricted space 170 restricts the ball 150 to move linearly within the free space 160 only. The ball 150 can move between a first position 180 in which it blocks the inlet 110, so that the inlet 110 is blocked from the restricted space 170, and a second position 190 within the cavity 140 in which the ball 150 does not block the inlet 110 from the restricted space 170, so that material can flow from the inlet 110 into the restricted space 170 and through the outlet 120 or vice versa. The linear motion of the ball 150 is parallel to the first direction 130 so that it can either move in the first direction 130 or in the opposite but parallel direction to the first direction 130. FIG. 1A illustrates the ball 150 in the first position 180 and FIG. 1B illustrates the ball 150 in the second position 190.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 18, the maximum width of the cavity 140, where the width is perpendicular to the first direction 130 and is parallel to the arrow 131 in FIG. 1A, is at least two times the diameter of the ball 150. The maximum width of the cavity is located centrally between the inlet 110 and the outlet 120.

The widening of the cavity 140 out to the maximum width so that it is at least twice as wide as the diameter of the ball 150 enables the valve 100 to have a high flow rate of material including thick material such as sewage and/or food waste from the inlet 110 to the outlet 120 or vice versa whilst still maintaining the ball 150 within the linear motion described without any vertical motion of the ball 150. The ball therefore never moves vertically so that it is partially above the flow path of material. As described below, the ball 150 is restricted from vertical movement due to the dimensions of the free space 160, so that the ball 150 can only move in the linear direction described.

The width of the cavity 140 generally widens out from the inlet 110 towards the maximum width at the central position between the inlet 110 and outlet 120 and then generally decreases in width down to the outlet 120. When the ball 150 is in the second position 190 it is generally central between the inlet 110 and the outlet 120 so that this coincides with the maximum width of the cavity 140. This provides two paths 141, 142 which generally curve around the ball 150 and therefore enable a smooth flow of material around the ball to minimize the resistance of flow through the cavity 140. As the ball 150 at least generally substantially blocks the ceiling and the floor of the cavity 140, the flow path of material is bifurcated by the ball 150 into the two paths 141, 142 which rejoin after the material has passed the ball 150. The material then flows out of the outlet 120.

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B illustrate an example valve 100. In this example the valve 100 comprises an aperture 200 in the roof of the cavity 140, which is closed by a lid 230 as illustrated in FIG. 2B. The lid 230 is removable and holes 231 in the lid 230 are arranged to correspond with holes 210 on the valve 100 so that a nut and bolt can be provided between the lid 230 and the valve 100 to fix the lid 230 to the valve 100. This allows the lid 230 to be selectively removed and attached to the valve 100.

The aperture 200 is sized to enable the ball 150 to be removed and placed within the cavity 140. In this example this is the only way to remove and replace the ball 150 within the cavity 140 as the inlet 110 and the outlet 120 are sized to not allow the ball 150 to pass through it. This enables the ball 150 to be inspected and replaced if necessary. The aperture 200 is situated so that the ball 150 can be removed from the cavity 140 when it is in the second position 190. As the ball 150 cannot move further in the direction 130 past the second position 190, this makes it easier to remove the ball 150 from the cavity 140 via the aperture 200.

FIG. 2A also illustrates holes 220 arranged around the inlet 110 and the outlet 120.

These holes 220 correspond with holes on piping sections not shown which allow the valve 100 to be fixed to the piping via nuts and bolts.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an example valve 100. FIGS. 3A and 33 illustrate a vertical cross-section of the valve 100. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B the lid 230 forms part of the cavity 140 when placed so that it closes the aperture 200. FG. 3A illustrates the ball 150 in the first position 180 and FIG. 3B illustrates the ball 150 in the second position 190. The valve 100 comprises a first guide 300 in the floor of the cavity 140 and a second guide 310 in the ceiling of the cavity 140. The first guide and the second guide 300, 310 are configured to guide the ball 150 to move between the first position and the second position 190. As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, at least portions of the first guide and second guide 300, 310 extend parallel to the first direction 130.

The first and second guides 300, 310 each comprise a first end 301, 311, which prevent the ball 150 moving further in the first direction 130 when the ball 150 is at the second position 190.

The first and second guides 300, 310 are in the example of FIGS. 3A and 3B a groove provided in the floor and a groove provided in the ceiling of the cavity 140. The first and second guides 300, 310 may also be referred to as trammels, channels or the edges of the channel may be referred to as rails.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the lid 230 comprises a portion 312 of the second guide 310 including the first end 311.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B illustrate that the restricted space 170 has a height that is less than the diameter of the ball 150 so that the ball 150 cannot fit into the restricted space 170. The free space 160 has a portion where the height of the cavity 140 is at least the same as or greater than the diameter of the ball 150. For example, the first guide 300 and the second guide 310 are curved to receive the ball 150, and the maximum distance in height between the floor of the first guide 300 and the ceiling of the second guide 310 is arranged to be either the same as or greater than the diameter of the ball 150. This is further illustrated in FIG. 4, 5, 6 and 7 which show that the first guide 300 and second guide 310 are curved. As illustrated by the arrow 320, the height of the valve 100 is perpendicular to both the first direction 130 and the width of the valve 100.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-section in perspective along the width of an example valve 100. FIG. 4 illustrates the end of the valve including the inlet 110. The valve 100 comprises a seat 400, which is a slanted, angular surface which the ball 150 sits against when in the first position 180 to block the inlet 110.

FIG. 5 illustrates the bottom half of an example valve 100 as if cut in half along the first direction 130. The first guide 300 is illustrated with first end 301.

FIG. 6 illustrates the top half of an example valve 100 as if cut in half along the first direction 130 and shows the ceiling of the cavity 140 along with the aperture 200. Part of the second guide 310 illustrated in FIG. 6 along the ceiling of the cavity 140 and the remaining part of the second guide 310 (portion 312) is illustrated in FIG. 7 as part of the lid 230, including the first end 311 of the second guide 310.

As can be seen in FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7, the remaining interior surfaces that form the cavity 140 that are not part of the first guide 300 and the second guide 310 provide an interior space which is of reduced height compared to the interior space between the first guide 300 and the second guide 310. Therefore this restricts the ball 150 to remain in the free space 160 as the ball's diameter is greater than the height between the interior surfaces of the cavity 140 excluding the height between the first guide 300 and the second guide 310.

FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B illustrate an example pump system 800 including a first valve 100a according to the examples described previously and a second valve 100b according to the examples described previously. The pump system 800 also comprises a pump 810 which comprises a piston 820 and a cylinder 830 in which the piston is configured to move to change the volume of the cylinder 830 below the piston 820. The first valve 100a is connected at its outlet 120 to piping 840 which connects to the interior of the cylinder 830. The second valve 100b connects to piping 850 at its inlet to the interior of the cylinder 830.

When the piston 820 is on its upstroke as illustrated in FIG. 8A, the decrease in pressure within the cylinder 830 causes a decrease in pressure within the piping 840 and piping 850. The decrease in pressure in the piping 840 causes the ball 150 within valve 100a to move to the second position 190, which allows material such as sewage and/or food waste in through the inlet 110 and out through the outlet 120 and into the piping 840 and is eventually moved into the cylinder 830. At the same time, the decrease in pressure in the piping 850 causes the ball 150 in the second valve 100b to be moved to the first position so that the inlet 110 of the second valve 100b is blocked, which prevents the material moving from the outlet 120 of the second valve 100b through to the inlet 110 and into the piping 850 to prevent it moving into the cylinder 830.

FIG. 8B illustrates the piston 820 on its downstroke, which causes an increase in pressure within the cylinder 830. This increase in pressure in piping 840 causes the ball 150 in the first valve 100a to move to the first position to block the inlet 110 of the valve 100a, thereby preventing material moving from the cylinder through to the inlet 110 of the first valve 100a. The increase in pressure in the cylinder 830 causes an increase in pressure in the piping 850 which causes the ball 150 in the second valve 100b to move to the second position which enables material from the cylinder 830 to move through the valve 100b and out the outlet 120 of the second valve 100b.

Therefore, the cycle of the piston moving up and down within the cylinder 830 over time causes material from the inlet of the first valve 100a to be moved and pumped out of the outlet 120 of the second valve 100b. This therefore enables material such as sewage and/or food waste to be pumped in one direction round a sewage and/or food waste treatment/processing system. As the balls 150 are restricted to linear movement only along the direction of flow, the balls 150 do not float within the liquid and therefore there is not a significant delay between them moving between the first position and second position which enables a quick closing and opening of the valves to provide more efficient pumping of the material.

In the examples illustrated above several of the examples illustrate the valve 100 comprising an aperture 200 with a removable lid. In other examples the aperture and the lid are not provided and therefore the ball cannot be removed from the valve 100 and so when the ball is no longer usable the valve in its entirety needs to be replaced.

In the examples illustrated above the guides are provided as channels or trammels. In other examples any other suitable guide may be provided, for example walls may be provided on the floor and ceiling of the cavity to provide the guides.

In the examples illustrated above the guides are provided in the floor and ceiling of the cavity. In other examples the guides may be attached at the sidewalls or to the ends of the cavity, for example a set of rails may be provided that are suspended within the middle of the cavity space and enable the linear motion of the ball from the first position to the second position and vice versa.

In the examples illustrated above the maximum width of the cavity is at least two times the diameter of the ball. In other examples, the maximum width may be less than two times the diameter of the ball, providing that two bifurcated paths are provided around the ball when it is in the second position.

In some, but not necessarily all, examples, the ball is made of rubber, polyurethane or aluminum.

In some, but not necessarily all, examples, the valve is made from SG Iron.

Where a structural feature has been described, it may be replaced by means for performing one or more of the functions of the structural feature whether that function or those functions are explicitly or implicitly described.

The term 'comprise' is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising Y indicates that X may comprise only one Y or may comprise more than one Y. If it is intended to use 'comprise' with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context by referring to "comprising only one.." or by using "consisting".

In this description, reference has been made to various examples. The description of features or functions in relation to an example indicates that those features or functions are present in that example. The use of the term 'example' or 'for example' or 'can' or 'may' in the text denotes, whether explicitly stated or not, that such features or functions are present in at least the described example, whether described as an example or not, and that they can be, but are not necessarily, present in some of or all other examples. Thus 'example', 'for example', 'can' or 'may' refers to a particular instance in a class of examples. A property of the instance can be a property of only that instance or a property of the class or a property of a sub-class of the class that includes some but not all of the instances in the class. It is therefore implicitly disclosed that a feature described with reference to one example but not with reference to another example, can where possible be used in that other example as part of a working combination but does not necessarily have to be used in that other example.

Although examples have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described above.

Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.

Although features have been described with reference to certain examples, those features may also be present in other examples whether described or not.

The term 'a' or the' is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising a/the Y indicates that X may comprise only one Y or may comprise more than one Y unless the context clearly indicates the contrary. If it is intended to use a' or 'the' with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context. In some circumstances the use of 'at least one' or one or more' may be used to emphasis an inclusive meaning but the absence of these terms should not be taken to infer any exclusive meaning.

The presence of a feature (or combination of features) in a claim is a reference to that feature or (combination of features) itself and also to features that achieve substantially the same technical effect (equivalent features). The equivalent features include, for example, features that are variants and achieve substantially the same result in substantially the same way. The equivalent features include, for example, features that perform substantially the same function, in substantially the same way to achieve substantially the same result.

In this description, reference has been made to various examples using adjectives or adjectival phrases to describe characteristics of the examples. Such a description of a characteristic in relation to an example indicates that the characteristic is present in some examples exactly as described and is present in other examples substantially as described.

Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features believed to be of importance it should be understood that the Applicant may seek protection via the claims in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not emphasis has been placed thereon.

I/we claim:

Claims (1)

1. CLAIMS1. A valve comprising: an inlet an outlet disposed in a first direction from the inlet, a valve cavity extending between the inlet and outlet, a ball, wherein the valve cavity comprises a free space, coupled to the inlet, in which the ball can move and a restricted space, coupled to the outlet, which the ball cannot enter; wherein the restricted space restricts the ball to move linearly within the free space only, between a first position in which the ball blocks the inlet from the restricted space and a second position within the cavity in which the ball does not block the inlet from the restricted space, wherein the linear motion of the ball is parallel to the first direction 2. A valve as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the maximum width of the cavity, perpendicular to the first direction, is at least two times the diameter of the ball.3. A valve as claimed in claim 2, wherein the maximum width of the cavity is located centrally between the inlet and the outlet.4. A valve as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein when the ball is in the second position, the flow path of material which flows through the valve from the inlet is bifurcated by the ball, wherein the two flow paths rejoin after passing the ball before reaching the outlet.5. A valve as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the height of cavity in the restricted space is less than the diameter of the ball, wherein the height of the cavity is perpendicular to the first direction and the width of the cavity.6. A valve as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the height of at least a portion of the cavity in the free space is greater than the diameter of the ball.7. A valve as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the floor of the cavity comprises a first guide and the ceiling of the cavity comprises a second guide, wherein at least portions of the first guide and second guide extend parallelly with respect to the first direction, wherein the first guide and the second guide are configured to guide the ball to move between the first position and the second position.8. A valve as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first guide and second guide each have a first end, wherein the first ends prevent the ball moving further in the first direction when the ball is at the second position.9. A valve as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the ball is positioned centrally between the inlet and outlet when the ball is in the second position.10. A valve as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the valve comprises a removable lid, wherein the lid forms part of the cavity.11. A valve as claimed in claim 10, wherein the valve comprises an aperture, closable by the lid, wherein the aperture is sized to enable removal of the ball from the valve.12. A valve as claimed in claim 10 or 11, when dependent upon claim 8, wherein the lid comprises at least a portion of the second guide including the first end of the second guide.13. A sewage and/or food waste valve, comprising the valve of any preceding claim.14. A sewage and/or food waste system, comprising the valve as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12.15. A pump system, comprising: a pump comprising a piston and cylinder, wherein the piston is configured to move in the cylinder; a first valve according to any of the preceding claims, connected to the pump by first piping connected to the outlet of the first valve; a second valve according to any of the preceding claims, connected to the pump by second piping connected to the inlet of the second valve; wherein on the upstroke of the piston, the pressure in the first piping and second piping decreases, causing the ball in the first valve to move to the second position and the ball in the second valve to move to the first position, thereby enabling material to flow from the inlet of the first valve to the outlet of the first valve through the first piping and into the cylinder, and wherein on the downstroke of the piston, the pressure in the first piping and second piping increases, causing the ball in the first valve to move to the first position and the ball in the second valve to move to the second position, thereby enabling the material to flow from the cylinder through the second piping to the inlet of the second valve and out of the outlet of the second valve.20 25 30