NL2012281C2

NL2012281C2 - Shut-off valve of a gas system.

Info

Publication number: NL2012281C2
Application number: NL2012281A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Sebastiano Saleri
Original assignee: Siral S P A
Priority date: 2013-02-22
Filing date: 2014-02-18
Publication date: 2014-08-25
Also published as: ITBS20130017A1; DE102014202149A1

Abstract

The valve (100) has a first pressure armature (32) arranged in fluid communication with a passage chamber in a valve body. A second pressure armature (34) is integrated in fluid connection with the passage chamber in a valve body (10) and between a receiving element and an inlet part (210), where the receiving element is arranged in the passage chamber. The second pressure armature is arranged between the receiving element and an outlet part (200). The pressure armatures are formed on the valve body, and angularly offset pressure. An independent claim is also included for a bearing support for an arrangement of a blocking valve.

Description

Title: Shut-off valve of a gas system

The present invention sets in the field of gas systems for civil use, and particularly relates to a shut-off valve prearranged on a gas system downstream of a measuring unit or “meter”.

As known, a gas system for example a domestic system, is associated with a measuring unit or "meter" detecting the volumetric flow rate of gas provided by a territorial distribution station. Gas system means at least one distribution duct extending from the measuring unit to form a supply network for several domestic users, for example in a residential building, such as boilers, cooking devices, etc.

The territorial supply station is, in turn, connected to the measuring unit by means of a user branch system or "connection" that is to say a branch duct connecting the territorial supply station to the measuring unit.

In particular, the measuring unit comprises an input and an output respectively joined to the branch duct and the distribution duct of the user system, for example the domestic system.

On the contrary, structurally, the using system comprises a shutoff valve or a "post-meter" valve arranged downstream of the measuring unit and allowing to selectively open or close the distribution duct in order to enable or stop the gas inflow from the branch system. A pressure fitting, mainly used for testing the using system, is provided and arranged downstream of the shut-off valve. In particular, once the valve is in the closed configuration, the using system can be pressurized through the pressure fitting to detect any leaks in it. In some shut-off valves the pressure fitting is integrated in the valve body.

The system also comprises an additional pressure fitting arranged upstream of the shut-off valve, still to carry out a test of the tightness, primarily on the unions connecting with the measuring unit.

Typically, both the pressure fittings are independent pressure elements with respect to the shut-off valve, i.e. additional elements, joined between the shut-off valve and the measuring unit.

According to the reference regulations relating to gas systems, an operator must be able to easily access the pressure fittings so as to allow to connect them to a pressurizing device in order to carry out the above mentioned test operations. Particularly, the technical field provides that the first and the second pressure fittings are angularly staggered one with respect to another of an angle of about 90°, for example to prevent any interference among the pipes of the pressurizing or measuring devices during the test or the maintenance of the gas system.

Some assembly drawbacks are associated with these structural aspects imposed, in particular, by the regulations. In particular, during installation, the pressure fitting can be appropriately positioned problematically, for example with respect to a front or side plane facing the operator operating on the system. In other words, the pressure fittings shall be basically in front or to the side of a working position of the operator, so as to be easily accessible.

To better explain what above mentioned, once the joining operations have been completed, the pressure fittings should not face, for example, a direction on the back of the measuring unit, that is an opposite direction with respect to the working direction of the operator.

Therefore, according to what above mentioned, it is difficult to achieve an appropriate positioning and angular orientation of the first and second pressure fittings, during the assembling step in the installation space of the system.

In fact, generally, the shut-off valve is connected to the pressure element, or the pressure elements arranged downstream and upstream of the shut-off valve, respectively by screwing a corresponding male/female portion of the shut-off valve in abutment with a respective female/male portion of the pressure element. However, in this way, when the two components come in abutment with one another, in most cases the two pressure fittings are not appropriately angularly oriented with respect to one another.

Then, in order to achieve an appropriate orientation, the male/female portion of the pressure element is only partially screwed to the female/male portion of the shut-off valve, that is without reaching the limit, and realizing a mechanical abutment. On one hand, this allows to easily orientate the second pressure fitting with respect to the first one, however compromising an effective sealing connection.

The same orientation drawback between the upstream and downstream pressure fittings is found also by using bearing brackets including connecting unions for the measuring unit, wherein the second pressure fitting is provided directly on one of the unions of the bearing bracket.

In other technical fields water piping elements are provided with attachment points. For instance in US2010319795 a near-boiler piping apparatus is provided including a primary/secondary piping loop interface apparatus having a unitary construction including a secondary loop shut-off valve, drain valve and drain port in each branch of a secondary loop for connection to a boiler. Supply branch piping and return branch piping connects the interface apparatus to the boiler and provides attachment points for auxihary plumbing equipment.

In US2004118219 a multi-position valve of air-flows is described. The valve comprises a mechanism to determine the current airflow within a conduit or air pipe by measuring pressure before a restrictor screen and after the restrictor screen.

However in both the solutions the attachment points are arranged in parallel one with respect to another.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a shutoff valve of a gas system which is able to solve the drawbacks of the known art and perform an effective, easy and quick installation in compliance with the reference regulations.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a shut-off valve of a gas system which is structurally simple and cost effective.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide for a bearing bracket integrating the above mentioned shut-off valve of a gas system.

These and other objects are obtained by a shut-off valve of a gas system according to claim 1.

In particular, the shut-off valve comprises a valve body defining a passage chamber positioned between an inlet and an outlet which are opposite one to another. The shut-off valve further comprises an intercepting member prearranged in the passage chamber between the inlet and the outlet. Moreover, a controlhng element is provided and allows the intercepting member to be operated between a first configuration, in which the intercepting member opens the passage chamber allowing the inlet and the outlet to be in fluid communication with one another, and a second configuration, in which the intercepting member closes the passage chamber allowing the inlet and the outlet to be in fluid insulation with one another.

The shut-off valve comprises a first pressure fitting integrated in the valve body in fluid communication with the passage chamber and arranged between the intercepting member and the inlet.

The shut-off valve further comprises a second pressure fitting integrated too in the valve body in fluid communication with the passage chamber and arranged between the intercepting member and the outlet.

The first and second pressure fittings are obtained as a single piece on the valve body and are angularly staggered one with respect to another, preferably of a 90° angle.

In other words, the shut-off valve, according to the present invention, provides a single-piece valve body integrating two pressure fittings upstream and downstream of the intercepting member, which are already oriented one with respect to another during the forming step, according to reference regulations. The afore said shut-off valve is therefore able to overcome the drawbacks of the known art which are due to the operational difficulty of arranging the pressure fittings as angularly staggered one with respect to another of a 90° angle, while ensuring an effective sealing connection both with the measuring unit and the distribution duct of the gas system.

Pressure fitting means a passage or hole connecting the outer environment with the passage chamber of the valve body.

Preferably the shut-off valve comprises: an intercepting ball member inserted in a housing seat obtained in the passage chamber of the valve body; at least one couple of sealing gaskets arranged at sides opposite to said intercepting ball member, and supporting means for holding in place the intercepting ball member and the couple of gaskets in the housing seat.

In a preferred embodiment, said supporting means are constituted by an adapting duct comprising in its turn: a blocking portion introduced inside the outlet of the valve body, adapted to compress the intercepting ball member between the couple of gaskets prearranged in the housing seat and adapted to realize a sealing connection with the outlet; a connecting portion extending from the blocking portion outside of the valve body and adapted to be connected with a distribution duct of a gas system, wherein at least one perimetrical groove having at least one through hole to keep in fluid communication the second pressure fitting and the passage chamber of the valve body is obtained on the blocking portion.

In other words, such an adapting duct or "union" allows to hold in place the ball and the respective gaskets and, at the same time, to keep in fluid communication the second pressure fitting with the passage chamber of the valve body through the groove comprising at least one through hole.

Preferably, the groove comprises a plurality of through holes angularly staggered one with respect to another and radially oriented.

In particular, the second pressure fitting is in fluid communication with the groove obtained on the blocking portion defining, by contacting the inner surface of the valve body, an annular chamber being, in turn, in fluid communication with the passage chamber of the valve body by means of the through holes.

In a preferred embodiment, the blocking portion respectively comprises an insertion seat obtained inside its head end, wherein one of said sealing gaskets associated with the intercepting ball is prearranged, said groove and a threaded portion to couple with the outlet of said valve body, at least at the side opposite to the insertion seat with respect to the groove.

Preferably, the threaded portion of the blocking portion ends with a stop edge abutting, in use, against a perimetrical edge of the outlet of the valve body so as to realize a mechanical abutment.

In a preferred embodiment, the shut-off valve according to the invention is applied through preferably removable connecting means, such as screw fastening means or similar, to a bearing bracket.

Preferably, the bearing bracket comprises: a tubular duct having an inlet; a plug element closing one end of the tubular duct at the side opposite to the input intake; a connecting flange assembled on the tubular duct and pneumatically connected with inlet, wherein the connecting flange is arranged at a proximal end with respect to the inlet and wherein the shut-off valve is arranged at a distal end with respect to the inlet spaced from the connecting flange of a predetermined centre-to-centre, or vice versa.

Advantageously, the centre-to-centre between the connecting flange and the shut-off valve and the one that exists between the input and the output of the measuring unit are equal to each other.

In particular, the inlet of the tubular duct is connected to the branch duct of the gas supply system, whereas the measuring unit inlet is respectively connected to the connecting flange and the measuring assembly outlet is connected to the shut-off valve according to the invention.

More features and advantages of the invention will be better understood by considering the following specification of various, but not exclusive, preferred embodiments, illustrated by way of example only and without limitation, with the support of the accompanying drawings, in which: figure 1 shows a side view of part of a gas system comprising a shut-off valve, according to the present invention; figure 2 shows a side view of a valve body of the shut-off valve of figure 1; figure 3 shows an exploded perspective view of the shut-off valve according to the present invention; figure 3A shows an enlarged view of an adapting duct associated with the shut-off valve; figure 4 shows a perspective view of a bearing bracket associated with the shut-off valve according to the present invention.

Referring to figure 1, a shut-off valve 100 of a gas system 200, applied downstream of a measuring unit 250, is shown. In particular, the measuring unit 250 comprises an input 210 connected to a branch system 260 of gas supply and an output 220 joined to the shut-off valve 100 serving a user system, for example a domestic gas system 270.

As better shown in figures 2 and 3, the shut-off valve 100 comprises a valve body 10 defining an inner passage chamber 11 (fig. 3) enclosed between an inlet 13 and an outlet 15 opposite one to another. Further, the shut-off valve 100 comprises an intercepting member 21 prearranged in the passage chamber 11 between the inlet 13 and the outlet 15 and a controlling element or lever 22 allowing the intercepting member 21 to be selectively operated between a first arrangement, allowing the gas flow through the passage chamber 11, and a second arrangement closing the passage chamber 11 so as to stop the gas flow.

A first pressure fitting 32, pneumatically connected with the passage chamber 11, is provided between the intercepting member 21 and the inlet 13 of the valve body 10.

The shut-off valve 100 according to the invention further comprises a second pressure fitting 34 arranged between the intercepting member 21 and the outlet 15, also integrated in the valve body 10 and in fluid communication with the passage chamber 11 through an opening 34b. In particular, the first 32 and second 34 pressure fittings are obtained as a single piece on the valve body 10 and are preferably angularly staggered one with respect to another of a 90° angle. Alternatively, the pressure fittings 32, 34 can be staggered one with respect to another of different angles, for example of 180°.

In other words, the valve body 10 is a single-piece integrating two pressure fittings 32, 34 downstream and upstream of the intercepting member 21.

In particular, each of the pressure fittings 32, 34 is substantially a perforated shank for connecting with an external pressurizing or measuring device. Each pressure fitting 32, 34 comprises respective grub screws 32a, 34a acting as a plug when not in use.

In particular, as better shown in figure 3, the shut-off valve 100 comprises an intercepting ball member 21, hereinafter ball, inserted in a housing seat - not shown - obtained in the passage chamber 11 of the valve body 10. The ball 21 is associated with a couple of sealing gaskets 23 arranged at sides opposite to one another and, to be held in place together with the gaskets 23 in the housing seat, is associated with supporting means 50. On the other hand, the supporting means 50 further realize the sealing connection with the outlet 15 of the valve body 10.

In a preferred embodiment, the supporting means are constituted by an adapting duct or union 50 comprising a blocking portion 52 coupled with the outlet 15 of the valve body 10 having the function of pushing and holding the ball 21 between the couple of gaskets 23 prearranged in the housing seat 21a. Moreover, the blocking portion 52 realizes the sealing connection with the outlet 15.

The union 50 comprises a connecting portion 54 extending at the opposite side with respect to the blocking portion 52, outside the valve body 10, and allowing to be connected with a distribution duct of the gas system 270 downstream of the shut-off valve 100.

In particular, as shown in figure 3A, at least one perimetrical groove 55 with at least one through hole 56 to keep in fluid communication the second pressure fitting 34 and the passage chamber 11 of the valve body 10, is obtained at the outer surface of the blocking portion 52. Preferably, the groove 55 comprises a plurahty of through holes 56, in particular four angularly-staggered holes.

More particularly, in use, the second pressure fitting 34 is in fluid communication with the groove 55 substantially defining an annular chamber in its turn in fluid communication with the passage chamber 11 of the valve body 10 by means of the through holes 56.

Structurally, such a union allows to keep functionally operative the second pressure fitting 34, obtained as a single piece on the valve body 10, otherwise, if a conventional union is used, being insulated with respect to the passage chamber 11 because the union itself would block the opening 34b of the pressure fitting 34 when coupled to the outlet 15 of the valve body 10.

More particularly, as shown in figure 3A, in the head end of the blocking portion 52 of the union 50 an insertion seat 52a, prearranged for housing one of the sealing gaskets 23 associated with the intercepting ball 21, is obtained. At least at the side opposite to the groove 55, the blocking portion 52 comprises a threaded outer portion 52b to couple with the outlet 15 of the valve body 10. Advantageously, the threaded portion 52b of the blocking portion 52 ends with a stop edge 53 abutting, in use, against a perimetrical edge of the outlet 15 of the valve body 10.

Referring to figure 4, a bearing bracket 300 is shown to which a shut-off valve 100, according to the present invention, is applied.

In particular, the bearing bracket 300 comprises a tubular duct 310 having a closed bottom end, for example realized by means of a plugging element, and an input intake 315. A connecting flange 320 is assembled on the tubular duct 310 pneumatically connected with the input intake 315. In particular, the connecting flange 320 is arranged at a proximal end with respect to the input intake 315, whereas the shut-off valve 100 is arranged at a distal end still with respect to the input intake 315. These are spaced of a centre-to-centre d, equal to the centre-to-centre between the input 210 and the output 220 of the measuring unit 250 (fig. 1). In this way, the assembly of the measuring unit 250 is made considerably easier, and the assembly and prearrangement operations both of the ducts of the branch system 260 and of the user system 270 are made simpler.

Compared to known structural variants, the aforesaid bearing bracket 300 is easier and cost effective, and makes simple the assembly operations of the shut-off valve 100 that, being made in a single piece comprising the pressure fittings 32, 34 downstream and upstream, is simply fastened to the bearing bracket 300 by means of screw elements or similar.

Claims

A shut-off valve (100) of a gas system (200) comprising: A valve body (10) defining a feed-through chamber (11) with an inlet (13) and an outlet (15) opposite each other; an intercepting member (21) pre-arranged in the transit chamber (11) between the entrance (13) and the exit (15); a control element (22) through which the intercepting member (21) is operable between a first arrangement, wherein the intercepting member (21) opens the transit chamber (11) through which the entrance (13) and the exit (15) can be in fluid communication with each other and a second arrangement, in which the intercepting member (21) closes the lead-through chamber (11) whereby the entrance (13) and the exit (15) are mutually insulated with each other; a first pressure attachment (32) integrated into the valve body (10) in fluid communication with the passage chamber (11), and disposed between the intercepting member (21) and the inlet (13); characterized in that a second pressure attachment (34) integrated into the valve body (10) is in fluid communication with the transit chamber (11) and is arranged between the intercepting member (21) and the outlet (15), the first (32) and second ( 34) pressure fittings are provided as a single piece on the valve body (10), and wherein the first (32) and second (34) pressure fittings are arranged offset to one another.

The shut-off valve (100) according to claim 1, wherein the first (32) and the second (34) pressure relief members are arranged offset in angle with respect to each other at an angle of 90 °.

Shut-off valve (100) according to any of claims 1-2, wherein the valve body (10) comprises: an intercepted ball member (21) inserted into the feed-through chamber (11) of the valve body (10); at least a pair of sealing gaskets (23) disposed on sides opposite the intercepted ball member (21), and support means (50) for holding the intercepted ball member (21) and the pair of gaskets (23) in the valve body (10).

The shut-off valve (100) of claim 3, wherein the support means comprises an adaptive conduit (50), comprising: a blocking member (52) adapted to be inserted into the outlet (15) of the valve body (10) adapted to compressing the intercepting ball member (21) compressed between the pair of gaskets previously arranged in the housing seat (21a), and adapted to realize a sealing connection to the outlet (15); and a connecting part (54) extending on the opposite side to the blocking part (52) and adapted to be connected to a distribution line of the gas system, wherein at least one circumferential groove (55) with at least one through hole (56) for maintaining the second pressure attachment (34) and the lead-through chamber (11) present on the blocking member (52) in a fluid communication.

The shut-off valve (100) according to claim 4, wherein the circumferential groove (55) comprises a plurality of through-holes (56) that are angularly offset with respect to each other and are radially oriented.

The shut-off valve (100) of any one of claims 3-5, wherein the blocking member (52) has an insertion seat (52a) disposed within one of its head ends to accommodate one of the sealing gaskets (23) associated with the intercepted ball member (21), and a threaded part (52b) for coupling to the outlet (15) of the valve body (10), at least on the opposite side of the groove (55).

The shut-off valve (100) according to claim 6, wherein the threaded portion (52b) of the blocking portion (52) ends with a stop edge (53) which, in use, abuts against a peripheral edge of the outlet (15) of the valve body (10).

The shut-off valve (100) according to any of claims 1-7, wherein the shut-off valve (100) is mounted on a support bracket (300) with the aid of preferably removable connecting means, such as screw fixing means or similar means.

A support bracket (300) for pre-arranging a shut-off valve (100) according to claims 1 to 7, wherein the support bracket (300) comprises: a tubular channel (310) with an inlet inlet (315); a plug element for closing an end of the tubular channel (310) on a side opposite the inlet inlet (315); a connecting flange (320) mounted on the tubular channel (310) and pneumatically connected to the input inlet (315), the connecting flange (320) being arranged at an end proximal to the input inlet (315), the shut-off valve (100) is arranged at a distal end of the inlet (315), and is connected thereto by means of screw elements or similar elements, and wherein the shut-off valve (100) is disposed away from the connecting flange (320) with a predetermined center-to-center distance.