IT202100003122A1 - IMPROVED SERVO-CONTROLLED SOLENOID VALVE. - Google Patents

Description

?Improved Servo Controlled Solenoid Valve?.

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a servo-controlled (that is to say servo-operated) solenoid valve, i.e. a solenoid valve operated by means of a servomechanism, useful and practical, particularly but not exclusively, in the field of both industrial and domestic hydraulic systems.

As ? Known, servo-controlled solenoid valves are devices capable of controlling, by means of an electric actuation, the passage of large quantities? of fluid from the inlet to the outlet of the valve body ensuring high operating pressures.

Pi? in detail, with reference to figure 1 which shows an example of the prior art, these solenoid valves A comprise a valve body B which defines inside it a passage C for a fluid (a gas or a liquid) from an inlet port E towards an outlet D.

The flow of the fluid inside the valve A, and therefore its flow rate, is? varied by means of an electrically operated actuator F which, by means of a kinematic chain G, activates the movement of a membrane H (or a shutter or other occlusion element) positioned inside the valve body B so? to vary the section of the passage for the fluid until eventually closing it completely.

The inlet E and outlet D are usually threaded, with a female thread, to allow connection to respective hydraulic pipes provided with a complementary male thread.

To allow the passage of the fluid at maximum flow rate, the inlet E and outlet D have a passage section which is ? substantially equivalent to that of the internal passage C to the valve body B. In this way the valve has no restriction of the fluid passage section and therefore can? the capacity declared on the specifications can be guaranteed.

For assembly to the hydraulic circuit, i.e. for putting it into use, the solenoid valve must therefore be connected to two threaded pipes with male thread.

These servo-controlled solenoid valves of the known type, although useful and practical, have some drawbacks in particular relating to installation.

Pi? in detail, a disadvantage ? given by the fact that the connection to the pipes through the threaded connection is, in practice, rather complex and requires a high capacity? assembly by the operator.

In fact, to create the seal between the male thread (of the pipe or fitting) and the female thread (of the solenoid valve), a sealing element must be used (such as a liquid sealant, Teflon tape or other) placed between the two.

If this mounting operation is not performed correctly, the inlet/outlet connections are prone to leaks.

Another drawback of these known types of solenoid valves consists in the fact that the size of a valve assembled with the pipes is particularly relevant and in some cases it is excessive.

In fact, considering the valve body and the related connected pipes, in the most? large dimensions of 300 / 400 mm are easily reached. When ? required? installation of more? solenoid valves in parallel or in series, the size becomes a particularly relevant problem. In these cases often not ? possible to use these valves why? the space available inside the final structure is not ? sufficient.

Furthermore, disadvantageously, the assembly of one of these servo-controlled solenoid valves of the known type in a plant requires considerable labor time on the part of the operator.

The main aim of the present invention is to provide a servo-controlled solenoid valve which solves the technical problem described above, overcomes the drawbacks and overcomes the limits of the prior art, allowing a more efficient operation. simple installation without compromising the overall range.

Within the scope of this aim, an object of the present invention is to make a?servo-controlled solenoid valve that is more? quick and safe installation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a servo-controlled solenoid valve which is not bulky and which can be easily assembled in parallel or in series within possible final applications.

Another object of the invention is to provide a servo-controlled solenoid valve which guarantees a better seal even without the use of sealing elements.

Another object of the invention is to provide a servo-controlled solenoid valve which is more? versatile with respect to the prior art.

Another object of the invention is to provide a servo-controlled solenoid valve which is easy to manufacture and economically advantageous.

The task set out above, as well as? the objects mentioned and others which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by a servo-controlled solenoid valve according to claim 1, optionally provided with the characteristics of one or more of dependent claims.

Further characteristics and advantages will become clearer from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a servo-controlled solenoid valve and of an assembly comprising this solenoid valve, illustrated by way of non-limiting example with the aid of the accompanying drawings in which:

figure 1 ? a sectional view of a servo-controlled solenoid valve according to the prior art;

figure 2 ? a perspective view of a possible embodiment of a servo-controlled solenoid valve according to the invention; figure 3 ? a bottom plan view of the solenoid valve of figure 2, in which ? visible in detail the coupling face;

figure 4 ? a sectional view of the solenoid valve of figure 2;

figure 5 ? a perspective view of an assembly, according to the invention, comprising a plurality servo-controlled solenoid valves;

figure 6 ? a bottom perspective view of the assembly of Figure 5.

With reference to the figures, the servo-controlled solenoid valve, indicated globally with the reference number 1, comprises a valve body 10 provided with at least one inlet port 20 for a fluid (gas or liquid) and with an outlet port 30 for the fluid itself.

In the figures ? illustrated is an embodiment in which there are six inlets 20, but the number of inlets 20 can vary according to the manufacturing choices, since it is also possible to have an embodiment in which the inlet mouth 20 is one.

Inside the valve body 10 ? then defined a passage for the fluid which puts the inlet opening or openings 20 into fluid communication with the outlet opening 30 so? that the fluid can flow from the former to the latter.

The servo-controlled solenoid valve 1 then comprises a servo-control unit (or servo-mechanism) 90 configured to regulate the flow of fluid in the valve body 10 from the inlet openings 20 towards the outlet opening 30, between a condition of total closure and one of total opening, in practice by varying the passage section of the passage for the fluid between the inlet openings 20 and the outlet opening 30 from a closed condition in which this passage is closed. closed to an opening condition in which this passage ? open.

The 90 servo group ? to be understood as any set of elements and devices which, in accordance with the state of the art, are suitable for varying the flow rate of the fluid passing in the valve body 10, or for opening and closing the valve 1. The servo control assembly 90 can ? be any actuator assembly of known type comprising, in a known manner, an occluding device 93 (such as for example a membrane, a gate valve, a diaphragm, a ball, etc..) positioned inside the valve body 10 and configured to vary the passage section of the passage for the fluid in the valve body 10 thus varying it? the flow rate is an electrically operated actuator 91 (such as for example a solenoid actuator) which actuates this occluding device 93 via a suitable kinematic chain 92, so that by commanding the? actuator 91 ? possible to command the opening and closing of valve 1.

In particular, if the occluding device 93 comprises a membrane, the solenoid actuator actuates a member (such as a mobile nucleus) which forms the kinematic chain 92 and as a result of the movement of this member, the membrane rises and opens the instantaneous pressure difference valve.

even more in detail, in the illustrated embodiment, the occluding device 93 comprises a membrane and between this and the closure element 12 (which will be described later)? defined a clearinghouse 38 that ? in fluid communication with the inlet port 20 via a compensation orifice; moreover, between the membrane and the closing element 12 ? there is an elastic load element 94 which keeps the membrane pressed against a sealing seat which defines the passage for the fluid, closing it. In this way the membrane is in equilibrium of pressure and the solenoid valve? closed. When the electrically operated (solenoid) actuator 91 is activated, an instantaneous communication of fluid is created between the outlet opening 30 and the compensation chamber through the conduit 101 and consequently a pressure imbalance is created which induces the diaphragm to swell in the direction of the greater pressure, thus rising? from the sealing seat and allowing the passage of the fluid.

The electrically actuated actuators, the occluding devices and the kinematic transmission elements which can compose the servo control unit 90 are well known and their embodiment? within the reach of the person skilled in the art (for example this could choose, depending on the manufacturing requirements, a servo control unit used in one of the known solenoid valves, such as the one illustrated for example in figure 1) and therefore, for the sake of brevity, there is no go further in their description.

In the preferred embodiments, the servo assembly 90 is coupled to a closure element 12 (such as a lid or other closure element capable of sealing the valve body 10) which is fixed to a second face 3 of the valve body 10 which ? opposite to the mating face 2 that will come? described later.

Pi? in detail, the? actuator 91 ? fixed to the closing element 12, while the kinematic chain 92 which operatively connects the actuator 91 to the occluding device 93 also extends through the closing element 12 so to reach the occluding device 93 that ? inside the valve body 10. E? so clear that the group of servo 90 ? to be understood as a functional set of elements (actuator 91, kinematic chain 92 and occluding device 93) operatively connected to each other.

According to the invention, the valve body 10 comprises a coupling face 2 (visible in detail in figure 3) configured to be fixed to a substantially flat surface 81, on which coupling face 2 there are the aforementioned inlet openings 20 and exit 30, what? that when the mating face 2 ? fixed to a surface 81, the aforementioned inlet 20 and outlet 30 openings are in contact with (or in any case adjacent to) this surface 81.

It should be noted from the figures that the valve body 10 is open only on the mating face 2, while the opposite face 3 ? sealed by the closure element 12.

Preferably, the solenoid valve 1 comprises, on the coupling face 2, a plurality of of entry openings 20, and even more? preferably the overall passage section of these inlet openings 20 ? substantially equivalent to the passage section of the outlet opening 30, so? that the set of inlet mouths 20 guarantees the same flow rate as the outlet mouth 30 which ? equal to the maximum flow rate of solenoid valve 1.

In preferred embodiments, including the one illustrated, the inlet openings 20 are positioned around the outlet opening 30.

For example, as in the embodiment illustrated in figure 2, the outlet opening 30 can be positioned in the center of the coupling face 2 and the inlet openings 20 can be arranged along a circumference which surrounds the outlet mouth 30.

The inlet 20 and outlet 30 openings are preferably made up of circular holes, but their shape and size can vary according to needs.

Advantageously, the inlet 20 and outlet 30 openings are simple openings without thread, since, as it will be? more clear later, they are not suitable for being connected to pipes.

The inlet ports 20 are in fluid communication with the outlet port 30, via at least one internal fluid passage along which the occluding device 93 is present which opens or closes this passage.

Pi? in detail, preferably, the valve body 10 comprises an internal supply channel 22 which is in fluid communication with the outside of the valve body 10 via the inlet openings 20 and ? connected in fluid communication, through the feed holes 13, with the outlet opening 30, so? that the fluid entering from the inlet openings 20, passing through the feed channel 22 and then through the feed holes 13, flows towards the outlet opening 30.

In the preferred embodiments ? there is a single feed channel 22 into which all the inlet openings 20 flow, i.e. this feed channel 22 extends so as to intercept all the inlet openings 20, practically forming a chamber in which, from the inlet 20, the fluid enters, which then, through the feed holes 13, passes into a passage area where the occluding device 93 acts, to then flow towards the outlet opening 30.

When the occluding device 93 closes the passage area, the passage between the inlet openings 20 and the outlet opening 30 is closed. interrupted and the?solenoid valve 1 ? closed.

According to a possible particularly practical solution, the coupling face 2? shaped like a flange and comprises an outer crown 21 able to be fixed to the substantially flat surface 81 by means of fastening elements 28. Preferably, these fastening elements 28 are elements suitable for realizing a mechanical fastening, such as screws or the like, which engage respective holes 29 present on the crown 21 (in the illustrated example there are four holes 29 for four respective screws 28).

Are however possible embodiments in which not ? the outer crown 21 is present although mechanical fastening elements 28 are used.

Preferably the valve body 10, and even more? preferably also the closure element 12, ? made in brass.

According to a preferred and advantageous feature, the mating face 2 comprising a first insulating element 23 positioned between the outlet opening 30 and the inlet openings 20, able to hermetically insulate the former from the latter when the mating face 2 is closed. fixed to the surface 81, and also a second insulating element 24 positioned between the inlet openings 20 and an outer edge of the mating face 2 (i.e. the crown 21 of the flange when present).

These insulating elements 23, 24, which preferably consist of o-rings or gaskets or similar elements made of elastomeric material, are configured to adhere (tightly) to the surface 81 when the valve body 2 is closed. fixed to it.

Note that in the illustrated embodiment the first insulation element 23 completely surrounds the outlet opening 30 and the second insulation element 24 completely surrounds the inlet openings 20.

In the preferred application forms the surface 81 to which, in operative condition, ? is the mating face 2 of the valve body 10 fixed? an outer surface of a connection body 80 which together with the solenoid valve 1 forms an assembly 100 suitable for being installed in a hydraulic system.

Pi? in detail, with reference to figure 5, the assembly 100 comprising at least one servo-controlled solenoid valve 1 and a connection body 80 preferably of box or plate shape.

The connection body 80 comprises a substantially flat surface 81 on which the mating face 2 of the solenoid valve 1 or of the solenoid valves 1 is fixed.

In the preferred embodiments, in which the connection body 80 has the shape of a parallelepiped, the aforementioned surface 81 corresponds to a face of the parallelepiped and preferably to one of the major faces.

The connection body 80 then comprises an inlet mouth 82 for the entry of the fluid and one or more? outlet mouths 84 for the outlet of the fluid itself.

In the illustrated embodiment, the inlet port 82 is formed on a lateral face of the connection body 80 and the outlet mouths 84 are on a base (ie a face) of the connection body 80 which is? opposite to the aforementioned surface 81 to which the valve bodies 10 of the solenoid valves 1 are fixed.

In other embodiments, the outlet mouths 84 are obtained on another side face of the connection body 80.

In general, both the inlet mouth 82 and the outlet mouths 84 can be positioned on any face of the connection body, according to requirements.

In the illustrated embodiment, plugs 83 are visible which close respective connection channels inside the connection body 80.

The inlet 82 and outlet 84 are suitable for being connected to respective pipes of the hydraulic system in which the solenoid valves 1 are to be installed and for this purpose the inlet 82 and outlet 84 are preferably provided with thread or in any case configured for make a watertight connection with respective pipes.

The connection body 80 comprises at least one inlet conduit which connects the inlet mouth 82 to the inlet openings 20 of the at least one valve 1; in practice, on the surface 81 of the connection body 80, in correspondence with the inlet openings 20 of the solenoid valve 1 fixed therein, ? obtained at least one?opening of adduction that ? connected to the inlet port 82 via the inlet conduit.

The connection body 80 also comprises at least one outlet conduit which connects the outlet opening 30 of the at least one valve 1 to one or more valves? outlet mouths 84; in practice, on the surface 81 of the connection body, in correspondence with the outlet opening 30 of the solenoid valve 1 fixed therein, ? obtained at least one?exhaust opening that ? connected to at least one respective outlet mouth 84 via the outlet conduit.

Basically, the inlet and outlet ducts of the connection body 80 and the valve body 2 of the at least one solenoid valve 1 form a hydraulic path for the fluid from the inlet port 82 to one or more outlet mouths 84, in which the flow rate ? regulated by solenoid valve 1.

In some embodiments, the assembly 100 comprises a plurality of of servo-controlled solenoid valves 1 whose valve bodies 10 are positioned in parallel along one or more? hydraulic paths for the fluid, between an inlet port 82 and one or more? outlets 84.

In other embodiments, the assembly 100 comprises a plurality of? of servo-controlled solenoid valves 1 whose valve bodies 10 are positioned in series along the same hydraulic path for the fluid, between an inlet port 82 and one or more? outlets 84.

In still other embodiments, some solenoid valves 1 are positioned in series and others in parallel, according to the needs and construction choices.

The assembly of the solenoid valves 1 can? be performed simply by fixing the valve body 10, and more? precisely the coupling face 2, to the surface 81 of the connection body. In the preferred embodiments, this fastening is performed simply by tightening the screws (or other fastening elements 28) in the holes 29 obtained on the outer crown 21 of the flange formed by the mating face 2.

The tightening of the screws causes the compression of the insulation elements 23, 24 against the surface 81 and therefore the optimal watertight insulation of the inlet 20 and outlet openings 30, without the need to add a sealing element during installation.

In this way the installation of the solenoid valve 1, besides being easy and simple, is not ? influenced by the capabilities of the operator who executes it.

Furthermore, each solenoid valve 1 can? be disassembled, removed or replaced quickly and easily.

Advantageously, the connection body 80 can be previously installed or integrated in the hydraulic system in which the solenoid valves are to be installed 1.

Note that, even in the presence of a plurality? of solenoid valves 1, the overall size of the assembly 100 ? extremely reduced if compared to the prior art.

The operation of the solenoid valve 1 once installed? clear and evident from what is described and ? entirely similar to the operation of known types of solenoid valves.

Yes ? in practice it has been observed that the servo-controlled solenoid valve according to the present invention achieves the aim as well as? the purposes set as it allows a pi? simple installation without compromising the overall range.

Another advantage of the solenoid valve according to the invention consists in the fact that it allows a more? quick and safe installation.

A further advantage of the solenoid valve according to the invention consists in the fact that it is not bulky and can be easily assembled in parallel or in series within possible final applications.

Another advantage of the solenoid valve according to the invention consists in the fact that it ensures a better seal even without the use of sealing elements.

Another advantage of the solenoid valve according to the invention consists in the fact that it is more? versatile with respect to the prior art.

Not least advantage of the solenoid valve according to the invention consists in the fact that it is easy to make and economically advantageous.

The servo-controlled solenoid valve cos? conceived ? susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

Furthermore, all the details may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

In practice, the materials used as well as? the contingent shapes and dimensions may be any according to the requirements and to the state of the art.

Claims (11)

1. Servo-controlled solenoid valve (1), comprising a valve body (10) provided with at least one inlet port (20) for a fluid and an outlet port (30) for the fluid, and a servo control assembly ( 90) configured to regulate the flow of fluid in the valve body (10) from the at least one inlet port (20) towards the outlet port (30), characterized in that said valve body (10) comprises a coupling face (2) configured to be fixed to a substantially flat surface (81), on which coupling face (2) there are said inlet openings (20) and exit (30). 2. Servo-controlled solenoid valve (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said servo-control assembly (90) is coupled to a closing element (12) which ? fixed to a second face (3) of the valve body (10) which ? opposite to said coupling face (2). 3. Servo-controlled solenoid valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises, on said coupling face (2), a plurality of of inlet openings (20). 4. Servo-operated solenoid valve (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that said inlet openings (20) are positioned around said outlet opening (30). 5. Servo-controlled solenoid valve (1) according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that said valve body (10) comprises an internal supply channel (22) which? in fluid communication with the outside of the valve body (10) through said inlet openings (20) and ? connected in fluid communication, through the supply holes (13), to the outlet opening (30), so? that the fluid entering from the inlet openings (20), passing to the feed channel (22) and then through the feed holes (13), flows towards the outlet opening (30). 6. Servo-controlled solenoid valve (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a single supply channel (22) into which all the inlet openings (20) lead. 7. Servo-controlled solenoid valve (1) according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling face (2) is shaped like a flange and comprises an outer crown (21) able to be fixed to said substantially flat surface (81) by means of fastening elements (28). 8. Servo-controlled solenoid valve (1) according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that said coupling face (2) comprises a first insulating element (23) positioned between said outlet opening (30) and said inlet openings (20) and a second insulating element (24) positioned between said inlet openings (20) and an outer edge of the mating face (2), said insulating elements (23, 24), which preferably consist of o-rings or gaskets or the like, being configured to adhere to said surface (81) when the valve body (2) ? fixed to it. 9. Assembled (100), characterized in that it comprises at least one servo-controlled solenoid valve (1) according to one or more? of the preceding claims is a connection body (80); wherein said connection body (80) comprises: - a substantially flat surface (81) on which ? the coupling face (2) of said solenoid valve (1) having been fixed; - an inlet port (82) for the fluid inlet; - one or more outlet ports (84) for fluid outlet; - at least one inlet conduit which connects said inlet mouth (82) to the inlet openings (20) of the at least one valve (1); - at least one outlet duct which connects the outlet opening (30) of the at least one valve (1) to one or more? outlets (84); said inlet and outlet conduits and the valve body (2) of the at least one solenoid valve (1) forming a hydraulic path for the fluid from said inlet mouth (82) to said one or more? outlets (84). 10. Assembled according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of said servo-controlled solenoid valves (1) whose valve bodies (10) are positioned in parallel along said hydraulic path for the fluid. 11. Assembled according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of said servo-controlled solenoid valves (1) whose valve bodies (10) are positioned in series along said hydraulic path for the fluid.