IE86970B1

IE86970B1 - A valve assembly, a hydrant incorporating a valve assembly and use of a valve assembly

Info

Publication number: IE86970B1
Application number: IE20140259A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Arnum Freudendahl Erling
Original assignee: Avk Holding As
Priority date: 2013-11-04
Filing date: 2014-10-13
Publication date: 2019-04-17
Also published as: IE20140259A1; GB201319427D0; ZA201408024B; GB2519984B; GB2519984A

Abstract

The invention relates to a valve assembly comprising a valve housing having a main flow passage through which a fluid may pass through the valve assembly. The valve assembly further comprises an inlet opening arranged at one end of the main flow passage - through which the fluid enters the valve assembly and an outlet opening arranged at the other end of the main flow passage - through which the fluid exits the valve assembly. The valve assembly also comprises a valve plug connected to the valve housing through a tilt joint, wherein the valve plug is arranged to tilt around the tilt joint and wherein the tilt joint is arranged outside said main flow passage. The valve plug is connected to an actuating mechanism for tilting the valve plug from an open position to a closed position and from the closed position to the open position and wherein the valve plug is arranged to tilt in the flow direction through the main flow passage, when moving from the open position to the closed position. The invention further relates to a hydrant incorporating a valve assembly and use of a valve assembly. <Figure 1>

Description

A VALVE ASSEMBLY, A HY DRANT INCORPORATING A VALVE ASSEMBLY AND USE OF A VALVE ASSEMBLY The invention relates to a valve assembly comprising a valve housing having a main flow passage through which a ﬂuid may pass through the valve assembly. The invention also relates to a hydrant incorporating a valve assembly and use of a valve assembly.

In valve assemblies - particularly for ﬁre hydrants - it is important that when the valve is open the flow through the valve is substantially unobstructed to minimize pressure drop through the valve assembly.

Thus, from GB 2472121 A and it is known to arrange the valve plug so that when the valve has to be opened, the valve plug is tilted backwards in the direction of the flow through the valve and away from the main flow passage through the valve.

And from US 2,504,006 A it is likewise known to close the valve by tilting the valve plug into and against the ﬂow through the valve and thus ensure that the ﬂuid pressure will aid in opening the Valve. But this valve design is not very durable.

An object of the invention is therefore to provide for an advantageous valve assembly design particularly for use in ﬁre hydrants.

The present invention is defined in the independent claims to which reference should now be made. Some preferred features of embodiments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.

Embodiments of the present invention relates to a valve assembly comprising a valve housing having a main flow passage through which a ﬂuid may pass through the valve assembly. The valve assembly further comprises an inlet opening arranged at one end of the main flow passage ~ through which the ﬂuid enters the valve assembly and an outlet opening arranged at the other end of the main flow passage — through which the ﬂuid exits the valve assembly. The valve assembly also comprises a valve plug connected to the valve housing through a tilt joint, wherein the valve plug is arranged to tilt around the tilt joint and wherein the tilt joint is arranged outside said main flow passage. The valve plug is connected to an actuating mechanism for tilting the valve plug from an open position to a closed position and from the closed position to the open position and wherein the valve plug is arranged to tilt in the ﬂow direction through the main ﬂow passage, when moving from the open position to the closed position. The valve housing comprises a side chamber in which said tilt joint is arranged at a first wall at said outlet opening of said valve assembly and where a second wall opposing said ﬁrst wall is sloping towards said inlet opening.

Arranging the valve plug to tilt around a tilt joint when being moved between an open A and a closed state is advantageous in that it is simple and inexpensive to form a reliable and durable tilt joint.

Furthermore, arranging the valve plug to close in the flow direction through the valve is advantageous in that the water pressure hereby will aid in closing the valve — thus, reducing strain in the valve assembly and particularly in the actuating mechanism, hereby increasing the life of the valve assembly.

Even further, to ensure that the valve plug is not obstructing the flow through the main flow passage when the valve is in an open state the valve plug has to tilt into a side chamber or similar when in open state. When the valve assembly is in function in a fire hydrant sand and other, foreign objects will have a tendency to settle at the bottom of this side chamber. Thus, another major advantage to arranging the valve plug to close in the flow direction is that it hereby is possible arrange the tilt joint at the top of this side chamber hereby keeping it away from the settlement at the bottom of the side chamber.

Connecting the valve plug to an actuating mechanism allowing the valve plug to be actuated back and forth between an open and a closed position is advantageous in that the state (i.e. open or closed) of the valve hereby can be controlled and in that the ﬂow rate at least to some degree also can be controlled.

In an aspect of the invention said valve plug is connected to said tilt joint through a tilt arm and wherein said tilt arm is further directly coupled to said actuating mechanism.

Connecting the valve plug to the actuating rnechanism. and the tilt joint by means of the same continuous tilt arm is advantageous in that it provides for a simple actuating/tilt mechanism design, having few movable parts and thus being inexpensive and simple to manufacture and assemble.

In an aspect of the invention said actuating mechanism comprises a nut arranged to travel on a spindle and wherein said tilt arm is arranged to engage said nut.

Making the actuating mechanism comprise a nut arranged to travel on a spindle is advantageous in that this provides a simple and reliable actuating mechanism.

In an aspect of the invention the rotational axis of said tilt joint is substantially perpendicular to a plan extending through said spindle and said main ﬂow passage.

Arranging the tilt joint so that it is perpendicular with a plane thin the substantially parallel spindle and main ﬂow passage is advantageous in that when the valve plug is closed the ﬂuid pressure of the ﬂuid passing through the valve will be able to aid in closing the valve and more importantly aid in maintaining the valve closed.

In an aspect of the invention said tilt arm comprises at least one guide track and wherein said nut comprises engagement means arranged to extend into said guide track.

Forming the tilt arm with guide tracks engaging the engagement means on the nut is advantageous in that it forms a simple and durable connection between the nut and the tilt arm allowing the nut to move linearly while the tilt arm describes a rotating motion around the tilt joint.

The term “engagement means” is in this context to be understood as any kind of rod, pin, bolt, protrusion or similar engagement device suitable for extending into a guide track on a tilt am.

In an aspect of the invention said guide track is open at the end facing away from said tilt joint.

Forming the guide track open at the end furthest away from the tilt joint — i.e. the end opposite the end connected to the valve plug - is advantageous in that it hereby is easy to assemble and disassemble the valve assembly.

In an aspect of the invention a tilt arm angle between said guide track and a contact surface of said valve plug is between 70° and 180°, preferably between 90° and l60° and most preferred between 100° and l40°.

If the tilt arm angle is too big the valve housing becomes too wide and the actuating mechanism is less power full in the closed position — which is disadvantageous in that power is most needed when the closed valve plug has to be opened against the ﬂow direction. But if the tilt arm angle is too little the tilt joint will collide with the spindle, or the tilt arm will not be able to move the valve plug properly into the main ﬂow passage. Thus, the present angle ranges presents an advantageous relation between function and design.

In an aspect of the invention the tilt arm is forked to engage opposing sides of said nut.

Making the tilt arm forked is advantageous in that it thereby is possible to engage the nut on two opposing sides and thus distribute the forces and the strain more evenly in the nut and the tilt arm and in that this design will lock the nut securely against rotation.

In an aspect of the invention the valve housing comprises a seat against which a contact surface of said valve plug is held in said closed position and wherein said seat is formed in a seat angle of between 50° and 160°, preferably between 70° and 145° and most preferred between 90° and 130° in relation to said main flow passage.

If the seat angle is too big the seat will be very oval making the edge to be sealed Very long which in turns makes it difficult to ensure a tight seal. But if the seat angle is too little the valve plug will have to travel a longer distance to close the valve - thus it takes longer to operate the valve — and the actuating mechanism will have to travel further hereby increasing space requirements and cost. Thus, the present angle ranges presents an advantageous relation between function and cost.

In an aspect of the invention said inlet opening and said outlet opening are substantially aligned to form a substantially straight main flow passage.

By aligning the inlet and outlet openings the valve hereby can be used in a through bore hydrant. This is advantageous in that a through bore hydrant is formed with a straight down tube e.g. allowing that inspections cameras can be lowered down through the through bore hydrant to check the underlying piping. Furthermore, the through bore hydrant ensues that the pressure drop through the valve and the hydrant is reduced.

When the valve assembly is in normal use e.g. in a fire hydrant, the outlet opening will be facing up and the inlet opening will be facing downwards. Thus, arranging the tilt joint at the wall closest to the outlet opening is advantageous in that the sensiblejoint hereby is lifted away from sand and other foreign objects that may settle at the bottom of the side chamber.

Furthermore, by making the bottom wall - i.e. the wall closest to the inlet opening - slope downwards towards the inlet opening it is more difficult for sand and other foreign objects to settle and build up in the side chamber hereby further ensuring that the tilt joint and actuation mechanism is not exposed to damaging foreign objects.

A possible aspect of some embodiments of the invention relates to a hydrant incorporating a valve assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said valve assembly is arranged with said main flow passage extending substantially vertically, wherein said inlet opening is arranged at the bottom of said valve assembly and said outlet opening arranged at the top of said valve assembly.

Arranging the valve assembly with the main ﬂow passage extending substantially vertically is advantageous in that it hereby is easy to operate the valve and in that it allows for inspections cameras to be lowered down through the through bore hydrant and the valve assembly.

Further aspects of some embodiments of the invention relates to a valve assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the attached ﬁgures.

Further aspects of some embodiments of the invention relates to a hydrant substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the attached ﬁgures.

Further aspects of some embodiments of the invention relates to use of a valve assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the ﬁgures, in a through bore hydrant.

Using a valve assembly according to the present invention in a through bore hydrant is advantageous in that the valve allows for a straight and unobstructed main ﬂow passage when the valve is open.

An embodiment of the invention will be described, by way of non-limiting example, in the following with reference to the figures in which: fig. 1. illustrates a cross section through the middle of a valve assembly in open position, as seen from the side, ﬁg. 2 illustrates a cross section through the middle of a valve assembly in closed position, as seen from the side, ﬁg. 3' illustrates a cross section offset from the middle of a valve assembly in open position, as seen from the side, and ﬁg. 4 illustrates a partial cross section through a valve assembly in open position, as seen from the top.

Fig. 1 illustrates a cross section through the middle of a valve assembly I in open position, as seen from the side.

In this embodiment the valve assembly 1 comprises a valve housing 2 having an inlet opening 4 at the bottom of the valve housing 2 and an outlet opening 5 arranged at the top of the valve housing 2. In this embodiment a hydrant thread 19 is formed at the outlet opening 5 onto which a fire hose connection (not shown) may be securely ﬁxed to the valve assembly 1. And in this embodiment a connection ﬂange 20 is formed at the inlet opening 4 of the valve housing 2 for connecting the valve 1 securely to an underlying piping system (not shown) containing a pressurized ﬂuid, such as pressurized water.

However, in another embodiment both the inlet opening 4 and the outlet opening 5 could be provided with thread, both openings 4, 5 could be provided with flanges or either or both openings 4, 5 could be formed differently e. g. to enable connection by means of other types of connection systems.

In this embodiment the inlet opening 4 and the outlet opening 5 are arranged substantially coaxially on the valve housing 2 so that a substantially straight main flow passage 3 is formed through the valve housing 2. However, in another embodiment the inlet opening 4 and the outlet opening 5 could be offset and/or be angled in relation to each other.

In this embodiment the valve housing 2 is only provided with one the inlet opening 4 and one outlet opening 5 but in another embodiment the valve housing 2 could comprise two, three or more inlet openings 4 and/or outlet openings 5.

In this embodiment the valve assembly 1 also comprises a valve plug 6 for selectively blocking or opening ﬂow through the main ﬂow passage 3 of the valve 1.

In this embodiment the valve plug 6 is formed as a circular disk but in another embodiment the valve plug 6 could be formed with an oval, polygonal or another more complex shape and/or the valve plug 6 could be formed as a block, a hung, a rod, a pin or other.

In this embodiment the valve plug 6 is provided with a contact surface 14 arranged to be pressed against the valve seat 15 when the valve plug 6 is in closed position (see e.g. ﬁg. 2). In this embodiment the valve seat 15 is merely a dedicated surface around the main ﬂow passage 3 in the valve housing 2 but in another embodiment the seat could be machined to ensure a tight seal, the seat 15 could be plated e.g. with nickel to increase durability and ensure a tight seal or the seat 15 could be provided with some sort of gasket means compensating for inaccuracies between the seat 15 and the plug 6 and thus ensure a tight seal.

In this embodiment the contact surface 14 of the valve plug 6 is formed as ﬂexible plug gasket means 21 but in another embodiment the plug 6 could be formed withou.t gasket means 21 or the entire or substantially the entire plug 6 could be formed in a ﬂexible material such as a rubber or synthetic rubber material.

In this embodiment the valve plug 6 is mounted on a tilt arm 9 arranged to tilt around a tilt joint 7 arrange at a first wall 17 in a side chamber 16 of the valve housing 2.

The first wall 17 is in this embodiment the wall closest to the outlet opening 5 at the top of the side chamber 16. Placing the tilt joint 7 outside the main flow passage 3 in the side chamber 16 enables free passage through the main ﬂow passage 3 when the valve 1 is open and placing the tilt joint 7 at an upper part of the side chamber 16 enables that the valve plug 6 may tilt upwards in the direction of the flow through the main ﬂow passage 3 when closing and against the flow when opening.

Arrangingithe tilt joint 7 at a first wall 17 also enables that nothing needs to be attached to the second wall 18 —— i.e. the wall opposing the first wall which in this case is the bottom wall in the side chamber 16 —— which enables that the second wall 18 can be formed so that it slopes relatively steeply downwards towards the inlet opening 4. This sloping bottom surface prevents that sand, dirt and other does not settle at the bottom of the side chamber 16.

In this embodiment the second wall is formed with a sloping angle C of 30° in relation to horizontal during normal use but in another embodiment the sloping angle C would be between 10° and 80° and preferably between 20° and 60°.

In this embodiment the tilt arm 9 is also connected to an actuating mechanisms 8 so that the position of the valve plug 6 may be controlled in response to actuation of an actuation device 22 arranged outside the valve housing 2 at the end comprising the outlet opening 5 ie. at the top of the valve 1 during normal use.

The valve assemble 1 according to the present invention is typically used in a ﬁre hydrant where the valve 1 is arranged underground so that the actuation device 22 may be engaged and actuated from above is. from the direction into which the hydrant extends.

In this embodiment the actuating mechanisms 8 is arranged to be actuated by means of a dedicated key or wrench (not shown) adapted to engage the actuation device 22 whereby the actuation device 22 may be manually rotated.

In this embodiment the actuating rnechanisrns 8 comprises a nut 10 arranged to travel up and down on a spindle 11 being substantially ﬁxed in relation to the valve housing 2 in respect to all forms of motion except rotation around its longitudinal axis. The spindle 11 is in this embodiment directly connected to the actuation device 22 so that when the actuation device 22 is turned, the spindle 11 is turned accordingly and the nut 10 will travel linearly up and down in the longitudinal (axial) direction of the spindle 11.

However, in another embodiment the valve 1 could be formed without an actuation device 22 e.g. if the spindle II was directly actuated and/or the spindle 11 could be actuated differently e. g. by means of a linear actuator, a motor or other.

In another embodiment the actuating mechanisms 8 could be formed without a spindle I1 and nut 10. In such a case the actuating mechanisms 8 could e.g. comprise one or more interconnected lever arms, build-in actuators acting directly on the tilt arm 9, any combination of the described systems or other.

In this embodiment the tilt arm 9 is connected to the actuating mechanisms 8 through engagement means 23 (shown on fig. 3) arranged on either sides of the nut 10 extending into corresponding guide tracks 13 formed in the tilt arm 9 enabling that the force of the nut 10 traveling lineally can be transferred to the tilt arm 9 describing a rotating motion. However, in another embodiment the connection between the tilt arm 9 and the actuating mechanisms 8 could be formed differently eg. by means of meshing teeth arrangements, timing belts or bands or other.

In this embodiment the engagement means 23 are pins formed monolithic with the nut 10 but in another embodiment the engagement means 23 could be individual parts connected to the nut 10 and/or in another embodiment the engagement means could be formed as bolts, as keys or another form of protrusion.

In this embodiment the guide tracks 13 in the tilt arm 9 are formed in an tilt arm angle A of 120° in relation to the contact surface 14 of the valve plug 6. However, in another embodiment the tilt arm angle A could be bigger such as 130°, 150°, 170° or even bigger or the tilt arm angle A could be smaller such as 1 10°, 80°, 65° or even smaller.

In this embodiment the rotational axis 12 of the tilt joint 7 is substantially perpendicular to a plan extending through the rotational axis of the spindle ll and substantially through the middle of the main flow passage 3 so that the valve plug 6 substantially rotates in this plane. However, in another embodiment the rotational axis 12 of the tilt joint 7 could be arranged parallel with this plane or be arranged to extend differently.

It should be noted that any reference to orientation i.e. top, bottom, up, down etc. is in this context to be understood as the orientation of a valve assembly in use e. g. in a through bore hydrant and orientated with a substantially vertical main flow passage 3 so that the inlet opening 4 is at the bottom of the valve housing 2 and the outlet opening 5 is arranged at the top of the valve housing 2, Fig. 2 illustrates a cross section through the middle of a valve assembly 1 in closed position, as seen from the side.

In this embodiment the seat 15 is formed in a seat angle B of 110° in relation to a centre axis down through the main flow passage 3. However, in another embodiment the seat angle B could be bigger such as 120°, 140°, 150° or even bigger or the seat angle B could be smaller such as 100°, 80°, 60° or even smaller.

Fig. 3 illustrates a cross section offset from the middle of a valve assembly 1 in open position, as seen from the side.

In this cross section it is shown more clearly how the nut 10 engages the tilt arm 9 by means of pins arranged on the sides of the nut 10 extending out into the guide tracks on the tilt arm 9.

In this embodiment the guide tracks 13 are open in the far end extending away from the tilt joint 7 to enable that. the valve may easily be assembled. However in another embodiment the guide tracks 13 could be closed in both ends.

In this embodiment the tilt arm 9 is formed as one monolithic part through casting but in another embodiment the tilt arm 9 could comprise two, three or more interconnected parts.

Fig. 4 illustrates a partial cross section through a valve assembly I in open position, as seen from the top.

In this embodiment the tilt arm 9 is forked at the end facing the actuating mechanism 8 to enable that the tilt arm 9 can engage two opposing sides of the nut 10 simultaneously to distribute load more advantageously and to ﬁx the nut 10 against rotation.

In this embodiment the rear part of the side chamber 16 can be dismantled from the rest of the valve assembly I and in this embodiment the tilt joint 7 is arranged to be attached to this rear part. Thus, in this embodiment the tilt arm 9, valve plug 6, tilt joint 7, actuating mechanism 8 etc. are all mounted to the rear part in a separate operation during manufacturing of the valve assembly. This sub assembly is then subsequently mounted on the rest of the valve housing 2 during manufacturing to form a complete valve assembly 1.

However, in another embodiment the valve 1 could be assembled differently ie. the tilt joint shaft could be mounted through dedicated holes in the valve hosing 2, it could be mounted on another removable part or in another way be integrated in the valve housing 2.

The invention has been exempliﬁed above with reference to speciﬁc examples of valve housings 2, actuating mechanisms 8 and other. However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular examples described above but may be designed and altered in a multitude of varieties within the scope of the invention as speciﬁed in the claims.

Claims

1. A valve assembly comprising a valve housing having a main flow passage through which a ﬂuid may pass through said valve assembly, an inlet opening arranged at one end of said main ﬂow passage, through which said ﬂuid enters said valve assembly, an outlet opening arranged at the other end of said main flow passage, through which said ﬂuid exits said valve assembly, a valve plug connected to said valve housing through a tilt joint, wherein said valve plug is arranged to tilt around said tilt joint, wherein said tilt joint is arranged outside said main flow passage, wherein said valve plug is connected to an actuating mechanism for tilting said valve plug from an open position to a closed position and from said closed position to said open position and wherein said valve plug is arranged to tilt in the flow direction through said main flow passage when moving from said open position to said closed position, and wherein said valve housing comprises a side chamber in which said tilt joint is arranged at a first wall at said outlet opening of said valve assembly and where a second wall opposing said first wall is sloping towards said inlet opening.

2. A valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein said valve plug is connected to said , tilt joint through a tilt arm and wherein said tilt arm is further directly coupled to said actuating mechanism. 10 15. 16

3. A valve assembly according to claim 2, wherein said actuating mechanism comprises a nut arranged to travel on a spindle and wherein said tilt arm is arranged to engage said nut.

4. A valve assembly according to claim 3, wherein the rotational axis of said tilt joint is substantially perpendicular to a plan extending through said spindle and said main ﬂow passage.

5. A valve assembly according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said tilt arm comprises at least one guide track and wherein said nut comprises engagement means arranged to extend into said guide track.

6. A valve assembly according to claim 5, wherein said guide track is open at the end facing away from said tilt joint.

7. A valve assembly according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a tilt arm angle between said guide track and a contact surface of said valve plug is between 70° and 180°, preferably between 90° and 160° and most preferred between 100° and l40°.

8. A valve assembly according to any of claims 3-7, wherein the tilt arm is forked to engage opposing sides of said nut.

9. A valve assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein valve housing comprises a seat against which a contact surface of said valve plug is held in said closed position and wherein said seat is formed in a seat angle of between 50° and 160°, preferably between 70° and 145° and most preferred between 90° and 130° in relation to said main flow passage. 1O 17

10. A valve assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said inlet opening and said outlet opening are substantially aligned to form a substantially straight main flow passage. 1 I . A hydrant incorporating a valve assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said valve assembly is arranged with said main flow passage extending substantially vertically, wherein said inlet opening is arranged at the bottom of said valve assembly and said outlet opening arranged at the top of said valve assembly.