JPH01266307A - Valve device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable the downward flow of a fluid within a pipe line in the predetermined direction by fitting a valve body comprising a fitting member and an elastic cap body to both ends of a connection means constituted with an elastic contraction body and a spring. CONSTITUTION:An elastic contraction body 2 and a compression spring 6 are used to constitute a connection means 9. Both ends of the aforesaid connection means 9 are fitted with a valve body 10 comprising fitting members 4a and 4b, and an elastic cap body 8. According to the aforesaid construction, a valve device is located at the predetermined position in a pipe line and a fluid in the pipe line is dammed on the basis of enough and close engagement among the pipe line and both valve bodies 10, thereby enabling the downward flow of the fluid from the pipe line to an arbitrary pipe line branched therefrom.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a valve device that can move within a pipe as required, and is capable of moving fluid, powder, granules, etc. flowing within a pipe. In addition to making it possible to switch the direction of flow of bodies, etc. to a plurality of directions as required using a negative valve device, it also makes it possible to perform intermittent supply and flow rate control.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, many valve devices depending on the purpose of use have been applied to a fluid supply pipe by being fixed at a predetermined position of the pipe.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) By the way, conventional valve devices, regardless of whether they are automatic valves or manual valves, and regardless of how frequently they are used,
Because they are individually installed at predetermined positions in the fluid supply pipeline, for example, when changing the flow direction of the fluid flowing through the fluid supply pipeline in various ways as required, multiple units are installed in the fluid supply pipeline. There was a problem in that it was necessary to install a valve device.

The present invention advantageously solves the problems of the prior art, and particularly provides a valve device capable of causing fluid in a pipe to flow down in various directions. be.

(Means for Solving the Problems) A valve device of the present invention includes an elastic cylinder that contracts in the axial direction when pressurized fluid is supplied to the inside thereof, and an elastic cylinder arranged in parallel with the elastic outer cylinder. A spring member that exerts a force in the direction of extension has an elastic bag body having an approximately donut shape as a whole at both ends of the connecting means, and the inner periphery of the conduit is Each valve body is equipped with a valve body that can be hooked on and removed from the surface.

(Function) In this valve device, the fluid in the pipe is dammed by supplying pressurized air or other pressurized fluid into the elastic bag of one, preferably both, of the valve bodies. This can be done by engaging the inner circumferential surface of the pipe without any gaps.

Further, the forward motion of this valve device within the pipeline is such that the valve element on the front side is engaged with the inner circumferential surface of the pipeline, and the engagement between the valve element on the rear side and the pipeline is released, and For example, by supplying pressurized air into the elastic cylinder, the elastic cylinder is caused to contract against the spring force of the spring member, thereby drawing the rear valve body toward the front valve body, and then , while the valve body on the rear side is engaged with the pipe line, the engagement between the valve body on the front side and the pipe line is released, and then the pressurized air in the elastic cylinder is discharged to cause the elastic cylinder to spring. This is done by extending the front valve body relative to the rear valve body by expanding it based on the spring force of the member, and then re-engaging the front valve body with the conduit. By repeating such operations in sequence, the valve device can be advanced to the desired position within the conduit.

It should be noted here that the backward movement of the valve device can be brought about by performing the operations in reverse order as described above.

Therefore, in this valve device, the fluid is brought to a desired position in the pipe by its forward and backward movement, and the fluid in the pipe is dammed there based on the sufficiently tight engagement between the pipe and both valve bodies. This makes it possible for the fluid in the pipe to flow down to any pipe branching from the pipe, and this allows the flow direction of the fluid, powder, granules, etc. to be controlled by the - valve device. It becomes possible to switch as desired in a plurality of directions.

In addition, this valve device controls the fluid in the pipeline to a predetermined level by alternately engaging and removing the valve bodies from the pipeline while keeping the distance between the valve discs at a constant value. It can also function as an intermittent on-off valve that allows a fixed amount of flow to flow at time intervals of , and can also function as a flow rate control valve by advancing the timing of engagement and disconnection between both valve bodies and the pipeline.

(Example) Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a partially sectional front view of the valve device of the present invention, and 2 in the figure is an elastic cylinder that contracts in the axial direction when pressurized fluid is supplied to the inside, that is, an elastic contractile body. 4a and 4b are attachment members connected to respective ends of the elastic contraction body 2, and 6 is a mounting member arranged around the elastic contraction body 2 between the attachment members and attached to the elastic contraction body 2. Spring members, ie, compression springs, which exert a force in the direction of extension are shown, respectively, and 8 also shows an elastic bag which is attached around each attachment member 4a, 4b and has a generally donut shape as a whole.

Here, in this valve device, the elastic contraction body 2 and the compression spring 6 constitute the connecting means 9, and the mounting members 4a, 4b and the elastic bag body 8 constitute the valve body 10.

Here, the elastic contractile body 2 is, as shown in FIG.
A tubular body 11 made of rubber or a rubber-like elastic material is covered with a braided reinforcing structure 12 preferably made of high-tensile fibers, and the openings at both ends thereof are sealed together with a closing member 14, and then closed. At least one of the members 14 is provided with a connecting hole 18 that communicates with the internal cavity 16 of the tubular body 11. Note that 20 indicates each mounting member 4a of the elastic contractile body 2.
, 4b, and 22 is a caulking cap that cooperates with the closing member 14 to prevent the tubular body 11 and the braided reinforcing structure 12 from being pulled out and falling from the closing member 14. It is.

This elastic contracting body 2 connects an operating pressure source (not shown), such as an air compressor, to its connection hole 18, and
When compressed air is supplied into the internal cavity 16, the internal cavity 16 undergoes expansion and deformation to generate a contraction force in the axial direction. Further, when compressed air is discharged from the internal cavity, the tubular body 11 is restored and expanded due to its elastic force.

At each end of this elastic contraction body 2, each closing member 1 is provided.
Attachment members 4a and 4b, the cross sections of which are shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), are connected via 4. For example, in Figure 3 (
The mounting member 4a shown in a) is a female member 2 that is screwed into a male threaded member 20 provided on one of the closing members 14 of the elastic contracting body 2, in other words, a male threaded member 20 provided on the closing member 14 that does not have a connection hole 18.
4, it has an accommodation hole 26 for accommodating the caulking cap 22 portion of the elastic contraction body 2. Further, the mounting member 4b shown in FIG. 3(b) has an accommodation hole 26 for accommodating a portion of the caulking cap 22, and also has a connection hole 25 adjacent to this accommodation hole. The other closing member 14 provided with the connecting hole 18 is inserted into this connecting hole 25, and the end portion of the closing member 14 protruding from the mounting member 4b is connected to the connecting hole shown in phantom lines in FIG. Screw on the joint 45.

Moreover, these attachment members 4a and 4b are provided with a joint surface on their outer peripheral surfaces for fixing the elastic bag body 8 that is inflated by supply of pressurized fluid. In this embodiment, specifically, as schematically shown in FIG. 4(a), a tubular body 3o made of rubber or a rubber-like elastic material is attached to the joint surface 28a of each mounting member 4a, 4b, This tubular body 30 is fixed to the mounting member by caulking the clinching ring 32a. Next, the free end portion of the tubular body is turned over as shown in FIG. 4(b) to bring it into contact with the joint surface 28b, and then, as shown in FIG. 4(C), another caulking ring is attached. By attaching and caulking the elastic bag 32b, an elastic bag 8 having an approximately donut shape as a whole is formed, and a valve body 1o is constituted of the elastic bag 8 and the mounting members 4a and 4b.

Each mounting member 4a is configured to supply and discharge pressurized fluid to and from the elastic bag body 8.

4b has a pressurized fluid supply port 30a as shown in FIG.
, 30b, respectively. In this embodiment, two supply/discharge ports are formed in each mounting member so that a large amount of pressurized fluid can be supplied to the elastic bag body 8 in a relatively short time.
The number of installations can be increased or decreased as necessary. Further, in this embodiment, the elastic bag 8 is formed of a tubular body such as rubber or a rubber-like elastic material, but in consideration of the fact that it is repeatedly inflated and comes into contact with the inner surface of the pipe, a reinforcing layer is added. can use a tubular body provided with a highly flexible cover on its outer surface that does not restrict its deformation during inflation.

As shown in FIG. 1, a compression spring 6 is disposed between the two valve bodies connected to each end of the elastic contraction body 2 and each having an elastic bag body 8. As shown in FIG. The compression spring 6 is elastically deformed in the compression direction by the valve bodies 10, which approach each other as the elastic contraction body 2 contracts in the axial direction due to the supply of pressurized fluid, and by the mounting members 4a and 4b. On the other hand,
The reattachment member 4a is released by releasing the elastic energy as the contractile force is reduced by discharging the pressurized fluid from the elastic contractile body 2.

4b apart from each other. In order to facilitate the arrangement of the compression springs between the mounting members, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. will be established.

Further, in this embodiment, in order to smoothly move the valve device within the pipe, a relocation means 36 as shown in FIG. 1(b) is provided using a caulking ring 32b. The outer diameter of the device including these transfer means 36 is smaller than the outer diameter of the elastic bag 8 inflated by supply of pressurized fluid and the inner diameter of the pipe, and the device includes the elastic bag 8 deflated by discharging the pressurized fluid. The number of transfer means installed and their installation locations shall be determined based on the usage status of the device.

Next, FIG. 5 shows the process of moving the above-mentioned valve device within the pipeline. FIG. 5(a) shows the arrangement of the valve device in the pipe line.

Note that the supply/discharge port 30a formed in the mounting member 4a is
They communicate with each other via the connecting pipe 40, and the mounting member 4
The supply/discharge port 30b formed in b includes a valve means for controlling the supply/discharge of pressurized fluid, such as a three-way valve, and is connected to a supply/discharge pipe 42 connected to an operating pressure source. Similarly, one end of another flexible and/or stretchable connecting pipe 44 extending away from the elastic contracting body 2 is connected to one supply/discharge port 30a of the mounting member 4a, and the other end is attached. It is connected to a through hole (not shown) formed in the member 4b. A supply/discharge pipe 46 including a three-way valve is also connected to the other end of this through hole.

When the traveling direction is the direction indicated by arrow A in FIG. By supplying and inflating it, the bag body 8 and, by extension, the valve body 1
0 is tightly engaged with the inner circumferential surface of the pipe without any gaps.

Next, pressurized fluid is supplied to the elastic contractile body 2 through a supply/discharge pipe 48 including a pressurized fluid supply/discharge control valve means, such as a three-way valve, to cause the elastic contractile body 2 to expand and deform. Contract axially. By the way, since the contraction force generated in the elastic contraction body 2 depends on the pressure of the pressurized fluid applied,
By appropriately selecting the pressure, the compression spring 6 can be sufficiently compressed. Therefore, the rear valve body 10 located on the supply/discharge pipe 48 side moves forward in the traveling direction as shown in FIG. 5(c).

Therefore, the valve body 1 located on the rear side is
Pressurized fluid is supplied to the elastic bag 8 of 0 to inflate it, and the valve body 10 is also tightly engaged with the inner peripheral surface of the pipe, as shown in FIG. .

After that, as shown in FIG. 2(e), when the pressurized fluid is discharged from the elastic bag 8 located on the forward side in the direction of travel through the supply/discharge pipe 46, the bag 8 has its own elasticity. It contracts based on the restoring force, and the engagement between the front valve body 10 and the inner circumferential surface of the pipe is released.

Therefore, when the pressurized fluid is discharged from the elastic contractile body 2 through the supply/discharge pipe 48 and the contractile force is eliminated, the elastic force stored in the compression spring 6 causes the , the valve body 10 located at the front in the traveling direction moves to the front side.

Apply pressurized fluid to each elastic bag 8 according to the procedure described above.
By supplying and discharging water to and from the elastic contracting body 2 as appropriate, this valve device can be moved in the direction of movement shown by arrow A in the figure as required.

On the other hand, the backward operation of the valve device is performed by changing the order in which the pressurized fluid is supplied to and discharged from each elastic bag 8.

By the way, by using this valve device which can move back and forth in the pipe in this way, for example, as shown in FIG. When selectively flowing down the main branch pipes BI+Bt and BS, the valve device is moved within the pipe as described below.

First, the fluid flowing through pipe M is transferred to all branch pipes B.

When diverting the flow to B, B3, the valve device connected to the pressurized fluid supply source via a control means such as a sequencer or solenoid valve is connected to the branch pipe located most downstream, as shown by the solid line in the figure. B, while positioned downstream from
On-off valves V for branch pipes Bt, Bt, 131,
■! + Release V3. According to this, the pipe-like fluid completely dammed by the valve body 10 of the device flows down through the respective branch pipes B+, Bt+ Bs.

In addition, in this positioning state of the valve device, by opening and closing the on-off valves V+, Vz, and Vs as appropriate, the fluid in the pipe can be transferred to any one branch pipe or any two branch pipes. It is also possible to have it flow only to the

In addition, when the fluid in the pipeline is divided into two branch pipes B, Bt, the valve device is positioned downstream of the branch pipes, as shown by the imaginary line in the figure. In this state, open/close valves V,, V, are released. In this case as well, by appropriately operating the on-off valve VI+lh, it is also possible to cause the pipe-like fluid to flow down only to one of the branch pipes.

Furthermore, when the pipe fluid is to flow down only into the branch pipe B, the valve device is moved to the position shown by the dashed line in the figure, and the pipe is connected to the branch pipe B at a position on the downstream side. Damping the target fluid.

Here, if the valve device is positioned upstream of the branch pipe B1 as shown by the broken line in the figure, the pipeline fluid can be dammed from all the branch pipes Bl th and Bi.

Therefore, according to this example, by moving the - valve device within the pipe, the number of branch pipes through which the pipe fluid flows can be reduced from three to three.
Various changes can be made between zero copies as required.

FIG. 7 is a process diagram showing an example of application of the valve device as an intermittent on-off valve or a flow rate control valve.

Initially, as shown in FIG. 7(a), both the upstream and downstream valve bodies 10 are tightly engaged with the inner circumferential surface of the pipe M, so that the upstream valve body 10 Completely dams the fluid in the pipe.

After that, by relaxing the upstream valve body 10,
As shown in FIG. 7(C), the fluid in the pipeline is dammed by the valve body 10 on the downstream side, and then the fluid in the pipeline is dammed by the valve body 10 on the upstream side, as shown in FIG. 7(C). By re-engaging the two valve bodies, an amount of fluid corresponding to the length of the connecting means 9 is stored between the two valve bodies, and then, by relaxing the valve body 10 on the downstream side, a predetermined amount of fluid is dammed up by the valve body 10 on the downstream side. of fluid flows down in the conduit M.

Here, when the fluid in the pipeline flows downward, the upstream valve body IO continues to dam the fluid in the pipeline.

Therefore, here, the repetition of each step described above is
By performing the repeating at a faster cycle, the valve device can function as a flow rate control valve, and conversely, by slowing down the repeating cycle, the valve device can function as an intermittent on-off valve.

(Effects of the Invention) Thus, according to the present invention, by moving the device (-) to a desired position within the pipeline, the fluid in the pipeline can be controlled without the need for installing a plurality of on-off valves in the pipeline. can be made to flow down in the desired direction, thereby effectively reducing the pipe line cost and eliminating the need for additional work on valves and the like associated with changing the pipe line.

Moreover, this device can function as a flow rate control valve by alternately engaging and removing the upstream and downstream valve bodies from the pipeline after it has been moved to a predetermined position. It can also function as an intermittent on-off valve, and in particular, when used as an intermittent on-off valve, it can be used for regular supply of nutrients to cultivated plants, granular or powdered feed for birds, livestock, etc., or moisture. It is possible to carry out regular replenishment of

Further, here, a completely explosion-proof structure can be achieved by using air, nitrogen, or other inert gas as the pressurized fluid supplied to and discharged from the valve body and the connecting means.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1(a) is a front view showing a part of the valve device of the present invention in cross section, and FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view showing an example of transfer means applicable to the device shown in FIG. 1(a). , FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway front view of a suitable elastic contractile body, and FIGS. 3(a) and (b) are sectional views of each mounting member of the device shown in FIG. 1(a). , FIGS. 4(a), (b), and (C) are explanatory diagrams showing the process of fixing the elastic bag of the valve body, and FIGS. 5(a) to (f) are illustrations of the valve device of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of application of the valve device as a directional control valve; FIGS. 7(a) to (d) are process diagrams showing other examples of application of the valve device. be. 2... Elastic contraction body 4a, 4b... Mounting member 6... Compression spring 8... Elastic bag body 9.
・・Connection means io °°°valve body 30a,
30b-... Supply/discharge port 32a, 32b... Caulking ring 40, 44... Connection pipe 42.46.48.
...Supply/exhaust pipe patent applicant Bridgestone Co., Ltd. Figure 3 (a) (b) Figure 4 flash, OU -1--m--1ν ℃ ■ -

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A connecting means consisting of an elastic cylinder that contracts in the axial direction when pressurized fluid is supplied to the inside, and a spring member that is placed in parallel with the elastic cylinder and applies a force in the direction of extension to the elastic cylinder. A valve device having an elastic bag body having an approximately donut shape as a whole at both ends, and valve bodies each attached to the inner peripheral surface of a conduit by supplying and discharging pressurized fluid to and from the elastic bag body.