NZ602740B - Dispensing Valve - Google Patents

Abstract

Patent 602740 Dispensing valve for dispensing liquids into a reservoir container comprises a main valve having a valve actuation mechanism and an operating lever 5, the operating lever 5 being designed for opening the main valve against a force that biases the main valve into a closed position. The valve actuation mechanism has a continuous characteristic with a smooth profile, with which when applying an actuation force to the operating lever 5 at the start of the valve opening stroke, a first opening force is exerted on the main valve, and when applying the same actuation force to the operating lever 5 during a later course of the valve opening stroke a second opening force is exerted on the main valve, where the first and second opening forces are different. The valve actuation mechanism has a continuous characteristic with a smooth profile, with which when applying an actuation force to the operating lever 5 at the start of the valve opening stroke, a first opening force is exerted on the main valve, and when applying the same actuation force to the operating lever 5 during a later course of the valve opening stroke a second opening force is exerted on the main valve, where the first and second opening forces are different.

Description

- 1 – Dispensing Valve The disclosure relates to a dispensing valve for dispensing liquids into a reservoir. The fuelling of in particular small aircraft is carried out with so-called airfield refuelling valves, with which fuel is dispensed into filling openings frequently located on the upper side of the wings (overwing fuelling).

Carrying out such overwing fuelling is demanding and requires the application of significant force, e on the one hand the dispensing valve has to be brought together with the filling hose into the necessary ng position, and on the other hand safety regulations prohibit the use of an airfield refuelling valve with a g mechanism, which retains the ing lever and hence the valve in the open state t using manual force. Thus, the dispensing valve and the operating lever must be held open manually during the entire ling process.

The above references to the background art do not constitute an admission that the art forms part of the common l knowledge of a person of ordinary skill in the art. The above references are also not intended to limit the application of the dispensing valve as disclosed herein.

The disclosure may provide a dispensing valve of the above-mentioned type that facilitates a refuelling process for the operator and thus may be suitable for use as an airfield refuelling valve. 3784527_7 (GHMatters) P91469.NZ - 2 – In a first aspect there is disclosed a dispensing valve for dispensing liquids into a reservoir container, the dispensing valve sing a main valve having a valve actuation mechanism, and an operating lever. The operating lever is designed for opening the main valve against a force that biases the main valve into a closed position. The valve actuation mechanism has a continuous teristic with a smooth profile, such that when applying an actuation force to the operating lever at the start of the valve opening stroke, a first opening force is exerted on the main valve. When applying the same actuation force to the operating lever during a later course of the valve opening stroke, a second opening force is exterted on the main valve, whereby the first and second opening forces are different.

First, some terms used in the context of the disclosure are explained. The liquids being dispensed may be fuels or other operating liquids. The reservoir container may be a fuel tank, for example the fuel tank of an aircraft or a different vehicle. The main valve dispenses the liquid delivery. The operating lever (also known as the ing lever) is used to actuate the main valve. The main valve is biased into the closed position, in which it ts the liquid delivery. The bias into the closed position may be effected by a spring force.

As set forth above, the valve actuation mechanism has a continuous characteristic with a smooth profile. At the start of the valve opening stroke (and thus at the start of the actuation displacement of the operating lever) the ation to the operating lever of a defined actuation force causes a certain g force on the main valve, as when exerting the same ion force over the continuing course of the valve opening stroke (and thus the actuation displacement of the 3784527_7 (GHMatters) P91469.NZ - 3 – operating . The opening force at the start of the valve opening stroke can be larger or smaller than during the later course of the valve opening .

A modified displacement ratio correlates with the change in the opening force. For a defined valve stroke at the start of the valve opening process, a longer or shorter actuation displacement of the operating lever may be necessary than for the same valve stroke during the later course or towards the end of the valve opening process. The change of the opening force or of the ratio of the displacement during the course of the valve opening stroke takes place continuously here, i.e. no jumps occur in the necessary opening force or the displacement ratio.

The disclosure may resolve the apparent conflict for a dispensing valve of on the one hand ting high actuation forces for the operating lever on the other hand and simultaneously enabling a small lever displacement. In the case of a typical type of dispensing valve, the lifting force required to open the main valve at the point in time of the start of the opening process can be at a maximum, because at this point in time there is still no flow through the valve and the full pressure ence between the inflow and discharge sides of the valve is acting on the valve disk and is forcing it into the closed position in addition to the spring force.

According to the disclosure, the actuation force on the operating lever necessary in order to overcome the initial resistance may be reduced here by the provision of a greater ratio of the lever displacement to the valve stroke displacement. After the start of valve opening, the pressure ence across the valve s as a result of the liquid flow and the ary lifting forces for further opening of the main valve are reduced. According to the disclosure, a 3784527_7 (GHMatters) P91469.NZ - 4 – smaller ratio of the lever displacement to the valve stroke cement may then be provided. The actuation force on the operating lever may remain approximately the same, but the lever displacement until reaching the fully open on of the main valve may be reduced by the now modified force ratio. For full valve opening, a vely small lever displacement may be necessary, but only a relatively small actuation force may be necessary at the start of the opening process because of the larger ratio. This facilitates the operation of a suitable valve, in particular in the case of its use as an ld refuelling valve in overwing operation.

It may also be possible to design the dispensing valve in such a way that a large opening force is necessary at the start of the valve opening stroke, which reduces during the later course of the valve opening stroke. In this way, a possibly desirable initial resistance during opening of the valve may be ensured, t this initial ance persisting during the later course of the valve opening stroke.

In one embodiment the operating lever and the valve actuation mechanism of the main valve (preferably the valve rod) may be kinematically connected via a linkage mechanism whose gear ratio may vary during the course of the actuation displacement of the operating lever.

This ratio may be variable in such a way that at the start of the opening stroke of the valve a higher or lower ratio of lever displacement to valve displacement takes place than during the later course or towards the end of the opening stroke.

In r embodiment, the linkage mechanism is a coupled linkage mechanism, which may comprise a drive lever linked to the operating lever, whose first actuation end has an ive connection to the valve rod of the main valve. The drive lever may comprise a second end, which is linked to the first end of a 3784527_7 (GHMatters) P91469.NZ - 5 – linkage lever, whose second end is in turn linked to a fixed portion of the dispensing valve. During the course of the actuation of the operating lever, the r position of the drive lever may change in a manner that is explained in detail in the e embodiments and may act in such a manner that the actuation end of the drive lever pivots in the opening direction of the valve rod. This ng motion of the drive lever acts on the operating lever via a rotation or pivoting about the linkage axis, which additionally moves the actuation end of the drive lever in the opening direction of the main valve and so increases the actuation displacement of the valve and thus the effectively utilized valve stroke. The coupled linkage mechanism may be designed in such a way that the ively utilized valve stroke is reduced.

In one embodiment the first actuation end of the drive lever may have an essentially linear guide. The operating lever normally pivots about an axis when actuated and thus s out a circular segment motion. The drive lever can pivot in the opposite direction about its linkage axis to the operating lever. The radii of the two opposed circular arcs may be formed in such a manner that as a result the actuation end of the drive lever performs an essentially linear movement in the direction of the opening stroke of the valve. This may enable a particularly efficient, low friction and low wear opening of the main valve, because there are no or at most low frictional forces affecting the operative tion n the actuation end of the drive lever and the valve rod.

In another embodiment, the linkage mechanism may comprise a rocker arm. This may comprise a linkage point and an actuation end that is preferably remote from the linkage point. The rocker arm may be raised by an actuating element of the ing lever, whereby 3784527_7 (GHMatters) P91469.NZ - 6 – during the course of actuation of the operating lever, said actuating t moves along the rocker arm towards or away from its linkage point, and thus a defined displacement of the operating lever over the later course of the opening process causes a correspondingly larger or smaller displacement of the actuation end of the rocker arm as a result of the modified lever ratio.

Airfield refuelling valves must generally comprise an earthing cable, with which an earth tion is made to the aircraft prior to the start of the refuelling process. Furthermore, a covering cap may be provided for protection of the dispensing end when not in use.

In one embodiment, it may be provided that the earthing cable comprises an automatic tion system. This may be a rewinding roller biased into the rewound position. In this way, following the completion of a refuelling process, the earthing cable can be tically rewound and does not prevent further operation of the dispensing valve. The protective cap may, according to the disclosure, be connected to the dispensing valve by means of a cord and an automatic retraction system may also be provided for this cord.

An automatic retraction system of this type may, for example ensure that for overwing fuelling when ing or removing the dispensing valve there are no cable or cord ends hanging loose on the dispensing valve, which can sometimes interfere with the operation or potentially lead to damage to the wing surface or its paintwork.

In another embodiment, the valve body may comprise two mutually rically opposed inlets, which are connected to two inlet portions of the dispensing valve g. The liquid feed may not be ed from the end face of the valve body or valve housing opposite the dispensing opening or the discharge pipe, but rather the liquid may be fed in from the side, the feed 3784527_7 ters) P91469.NZ - 7 – direction being preferably approximately at right angles to the stroke direction of the valve rod. The actuation mechanism including the operating lever may be disposed in proximity to the end face of the valve body opposite the discharge opening.The described "kinking" of the feed direction relative to the dispensing direction tates the operation of the dispensing valve, for example in a typical overwing refuelling situation. Further, the relatively free arrangement of the actuation mechanism at the exposed end face of the valve body may allow operation and actuation from different directions, without any adverse effect being caused by the delivery hose.

In one embodimentthe dispensing valve may have delivery portions that are pivotably connected to the inlet of the valve body. In this case it may be a liquid connection in the form of a rotary linkage. Said pivotability may facilitate the operation still further, e the angle between the normally quite heavy and frequently inflexible feed hose and the discharge pipe can be adjusted better and thus fuelling may be facilitated. The pivotability can be d by stops and may consist of only a small angular range of, for example, 10 to 15°. Alternatively, a te rotation through 180°, for example, can be allowed if this is not ted by the ion mechanism on the end face of the valve body.

In one embodiment, the inlet portions of the dispensing valve housing may extend in a forked shape from the hose connection of the sing valve to said feeds of the valve body. The flow of liquid through the feed hose is divided in this way into two partial flows and fed to the valve body through the two diametrically opposed . This may facilitate higher volumetric flows through the dispensing valve. A design of this nature with large flow cross sections may also reduce the re losses that occur. 3784527_7 (GHMatters) P91469.NZ - 8 – According to the disclosure, it can be provided that a connecting path, ably in the form of a liquid passage, is ed n the fork-shaped inlet portions. This may increase the stability and strength of the construction and may, according to the disclosure, additionally comprise a g window, which enables visual monitoring of the refuelling process. The viewing window may be protected in the inner portion of the fork, disposed between the two inlet portions. Alternatively, the viewing window can be disposed in the valve body, preferably in the portion that is protected by the forked inlet portions.

Preferably, the dispensing valve may have a nominal width of at least 25 mm, further ably a range of nominal widths of 40 mm to 50 mm. The values mentioned can optionally be combined to give ranges according to the disclosure. Preferably, a dispensing performance of at least 150 l/min may be provided for, further preferably 200, 300 or 400 l/min. A red maximum value of the delivery performance is 800 l/min. The values mentioned can optionally be combined to give ranges according to the disclosure.

It can further be provided that the dispensing valve may comprise a quick release pipe (discharge pipe).

Example embodiments of the disclosure are described below using the figures. The figures show: Fig. 1 a view of a dispensing valve according to the sure; Fig. 2 a view of the automatic retraction system for the earthing cable and the cord of the protective cap; Fig. 3 a dispensing valve according to the sure in a sectional drawing; 3784527_7 (GHMatters) P91469.NZ - 9 – Fig. 4 in a section from Figure 1, the dispensing valve in the closed state; Fig. 5 in a section from Figure 3, the dispensing valve in the open state; Fig. 6 a section of another embodiment with a rocker arm in the closed state; Fig. 7 the embodiment of Figure 6 in the open state.

The sing valve ing to the disclosure illustrated in Figure 1 basically comprises a hose connection 1, inlet portions 2 that spread out in a forked manner, a valve body 3, an actuation mechanism with a handle 4 and an ing lever 5 as well as a rge pipe 6. The discharge pipe 6 is, as can be seen in Figure 3, in the form of a quick release pipe.

The valve body 3 comprises two mutually diametrically opposed liquid passages in the form of rotary linkages, at which there is a liquid flow from the inlet portions 2 into the valve body 3. The inlet portions 2 are constructed so as to be rotatable relative to the valve body 3 about said rotary linkages 7.

The handle 4 and the actuation lever 5 are arranged opposite the rge ends at the end face of the valve body 3. It can be seen that as a result of the design illustrated, these actuating elements can be freely grasped from all sides, because they are disposed above the hose connection 1.

A connecting path 8 (in the form of a connecting tube through which liquid can pass) is disposed between the inlet portions 2 in proximity to the valve body 3, in order to increase the stability of the dispensing valve. A viewing window denoted by 9, through which the refuelling process can be monitored, is disposed and 3784527_7 (GHMatters) P91469.NZ - 10 – protected in the portion of the valve body 3 enclosed by the inlet portions 2.

Figure 2 shows details of the automatic retraction system according to the disclosure. Two winding spools , 11 are disposed at the front end of the valve body 3 in proximity to the attachment of the handle 4, the spools being biased into the rewound position by means of springs that are not illustrated. A cord 12 with an attached protective cap 13 for the discharge pipe 6 can be pulled off from the spools 10, 11. In the resting state of the sing valve, the protective cap 13 can protect the discharge end of the discharge pipe 6.

If the protective cap 13 is removed in preparation for the refuelling process, the cord 12 is rewound onto the spool 10 and the protective cap 13 is pulled onto the dispensing valve. It does not hang down and does not disturb the ion during the refuelling s. An earthing cable 14 is wound onto the spool 11 and is connected to an earth terminal. Again, the earthing cable 14 is rewound in the resting state and the earth terminal does not hang down loosely. Prior to the start of the refuelling process, a ed length of the earthing cable 14 is pulled out and an earth connection is made between the dispensing valve and, for example, the aircraft.

The main valve comprises a valve disk within the valve body 3, which is in sealed contact with a valve seat 16 by means of a valve seal 15 in the closed state. The valve is held in this closed position by a valve spring 17. The valve can be moved against the force of the spring 17 into an open position by means of a valve rod 18. The valve rod 18 has a bore 19 in the end remote from the valve seat, extending transversely relative to its axis and through which the actuation end 20 of a drive lever 22 s, which is pivotably connected by means of the pivot axis 21 to the operating lever 5.

The drive lever 22 is pivotably ted via pivot 3784527_7 (GHMatters) P91469.NZ - 11 – axis 23 to a linkage lever 24, whose second end in turn is pivotably linked via pivot axis 25 to a fixed part of the valve body or of the handle.

The coupled linkage mechanism with variable gear ratio formed by the interworking of the operating lever 5 (with its pivot axis 26), linkage lever 24, drive lever 22 and valve rod 18 brings about the continuous valve actuation teristic with a smooth profile according to the disclosure. In the illustrated case the characteristic is a progressive characteristic.

Figure 4 shows the dispensing valve in the closed state. The valve seal 15 is in liquid-tight contact with the valve seat 16. If the operating lever 5 is moved upwards from the rest position illustrated in Figure 4, the pivot axis 21 of the drive lever 22 describes a circular arc, whose radius corresponds to the distance between the axis 26 of the operating lever 5 and the said pivot axis 21. Simultaneously, the distance between the axis 21 of the drive lever 22 and the axis 25 of the linkage lever 24 reduces as a result of the movement of the actuation lever 5, so that they carry out a rotary motion relative to one another about the axis 23. The drive lever 22 carries out a rotary motion relative to the operating lever 5 about the axis 21. The ation of the pivotal movements of the drive lever 22 about the axis 26 of the operating lever on the one side and the opposite ng motion about the axis 21 on the other side causes the actuation end 20 of the drive lever 22 to carry out an essentially linear upward movement and, ing from the interaction in the bore 19, raises the valve rod 18 t the force of the spring 17 and opens the valve.

It can be seen in Figures 4 and 5, that the kinematics of the coupled linkage mechanism are such that for ongoing movement of the operating lever 5 through the ned opposite pivotal movements of the drive lever 22, the gear ratio of the coupled e mechanism is 3784527_7 (GHMatters) P91469.NZ - 12 – continuously reduced, so that at the start of the movement of the operating lever 5, a defined pivot angle about the axis 26 causes a smaller opening stroke of the valve than the same pivot angle about the axis 26 during the later course of the opening. The force ratio is correspondingly opposite.

It is also possible to design the dispensing valve in such a way that the gear ratio of the coupled linkage mechanism is continuously increased. Then a force ratio profile opposite to the illustrated example ment also results.

Figures 6 and 7 show a second embodiment of the disclosure, in which the coupled e mechanism ses a rocker arm. The operating lever 5 has an operative connection via a protrusion 27 to a rocker arm 28, which is pivotably linked by the pivot axis 29.

The rocker arm 28 has an operative connection at its end remote from the pivot axis 29 with a bore in the valve rod 18 and can lift the valve rod.

As can be seen from a comparison of Figures 6 and 7, when the operating lever 5 is moved its protrusion 27 lifts the rocker arm 28 and thus opens the valve.

During this movement the protrusion 27 slides along on the underside of the rocker arm 28 and the distance between the pivot axis 29 and the point of action of the protrusion 27 on the rocker arm 28 reduces as a result of the relative arrangement of the pivot axis 26 of the operating lever 5 on one side and the pivot axis 29 of the rocker arm 28 on the other side. h this reduction of the distance, the lever length s in such a way that at the start of the ion process a defined angle change of the rocker arm 5 causes a smaller opening stroke of the valve than a pivoting motion of the operating lever 5 about the same angle during the continuation of the opening movement. A 3784527_7 (GHMatters) P91469.NZ - 13 – coupled linkage mechanism with variable gear ratio is thus achieved again.

In Figure 3 it can be seen that the ing lever 5 comprises a retaining aid 30, which enables the operating lever 5 to be held open with reduced manual force in three open positions defined by detents 31 on the handle 4, as is described in EP 2 186 773 Al.

In the claims which follow, and in the preceding ption, except where the t requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” and variations such as ises” or “comprising” are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the dispensing valve as disclosed herein. 3784527_7 (GHMatters) P91469.NZ - 14 –

Claims (20)

Claims

1. Dispensing valve for sing liquids into a reservoir container, the dispensing valve comprising a 5 main valve having a valve actuation mechanism and an operating lever, the ing lever being designed for opening the main valve against a force that biases the main valve into a closed position, wherein the valve actuation mechanism has a uous characteristic 10 with a smooth profile, such that when applying an actuation force to the operating lever at the start of the valve opening stroke, a first opening force is exerted on the main valve, and when applying the same actuation force to the operating lever during a later 15 course of the valve opening stroke a second opening force is exerted on the main valve, whereby the first and second opening forces are ent.

2. Dispensing valve as claimed in Claim 1, wherein 20 the operating lever and valve actuation mechanism of the main valve are kinematically connected via a coupled linkage mechanism whose gear ratio varies during the course of the actuation displacement of the operating lever.

3. Dispensing valve as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the coupled linkage mechanism comprises a drive lever linked to the ing lever, whose first actuation end has an operative connection to the valve rod of the 30 main valve.

4. Dispensing valve as d in Claim 3, wherein the drive lever has a second end that is linked to the first end of a linkage lever, whose second end in turn 35 is linked to a fixed portion of the sing valve. 3784527_7 (GHMatters) P91469.NZ - 15 –

5. Dispensing valve as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the first actuation end of the drive lever has an substantially linear guide. 5

6. Dispensing valve as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the coupled linkage ism comprises a rocker arm.

7. Dispensing valve as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, comprising an earthing cable and/or a 10 protective cap for the discharge opening ted by a cord to the dispensing valve, wherein it further comprises an automatic retraction system for the earthing cable and/or the cord of the protective cap. 15

8. Dispensing valve as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the valve body comprises two ly rically opposed inlets connected to two inlet portions of the dispensing valve housing. 20

9. Dispensing valve as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the inlet portions of the dispensing valve housing are pivotably connected to the inlets of the valve body.

10. sing valve as claimed in Claim 8 or 9, 25 wherein the inlet portions of the dispensing valve housing extend in a forked manner from the hose connection of the dispensing valve to the inlets of the valve body. 30

11. Dispensing valve as claimed in Claim 10, n a connecting path, preferably in the form of a liquid passage, is provided between the fork-shaped inlet portions. 35

12. Dispensing valve as claimed in Claim 11, wherein a viewing window is provided in the valve body or the ting path. 3784527_7 (GHMatters) P91469.NZ - 16 –

13. Dispensing valve as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, having a nominal width of at least 25 5

14. Dispensing valve as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, having a nominal width of 40 mm to 50

15. Dispensing valve as claimed in any one of the 10 preceding Claims, having a delivery performance of at least 150 l/min.

16. Dispensing valve as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, having a delivery performance of at 15 least 200 l/min.

17. Dispensing valve as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, having a delivery mance of at least 300 l/min.

18. Dispensing valve as claimed in any one of the ing Claims, having a delivery performance of at least 400 l/min. 25

19. Dispensing valve as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims having a ry performance of no more than 800 l/min.

20. Dispensing valve as claimed in any one of the 30 preceding Claims, r comprising a discharge pipe for dispensing liquids from the valve, whereby the discharge pipe is in the form of a quick release pipe. 3784527_7 (GHMatters) P91469.NZ . L, A OI? $403“a